Sebastian Copeland

Polar Exploration and the Legacy Crossing

Copeland's polar career is inseparable from his photography — the two developed together rather than one following the other. His best-known expedition, the Antarctica Legacy Crossing, saw him and partner Eric McNair-Landry spend 82 days, between 4 November 2011 and 24 January 2012, completing the first west-to-east crossing of the Antarctic icecap via two of its poles, travelling by kite and ski and setting three new polar records in the process. That expedition, like most of his polar work, produced both a body of photographs and a first-hand account of conditions few people will ever witness directly — a combination that gives his images a documentary authority that pictures shot from a support vehicle or a helicopter cannot claim. It is demanding, physically dangerous work undertaken specifically so the resulting photographs can carry that authenticity.

Photography and Environmental Advocacy

Copeland's photographs are frequently read as environmental documents as much as fine art — a deliberate choice on his part rather than a side effect of the subject matter. His work depicts icebergs, polar bears, ice streams and the abstract patterns of the polar landscape not as remote or exotic subjects but as a fragile system under direct, sustained observation, and the writing and lectures he produces alongside the images make that argument explicit rather than leaving it implied. From 2003 to 2018 he served on the board of directors of Global Green USA, and in 2010 he founded the SEDNA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to educating governments, media organisations and the public on how climate change is affecting the polar regions. His photography and his advocacy are, by design, the same project pursued through two different mediums, and neither reads fully without the other.

Publications and Recognition

Copeland has published four major photographic books: Antarctica: The Global Warning (2007), Antarctica: A Call to Action (2009), Arctica: The Vanishing North (2016), and Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020, with a foreword by Leonardo DiCaprio). He has been named Photographer of the Year four times — in 2007 by the International Photography Awards for The Global Warning, in 2016 by the Tokyo International Foto Awards for Arctica, and in 2020 by both organisations for The Waking Giant. His documentary Into the Cold was a featured selection at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. In 2017, Men's Journal named him one of the Top 25 Adventurers of the Last 25 Years, and in 2019 French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the National Order of Merit; he has also received France's Order of Arts and Letters. His work is held in prestigious museum collections, including the Natural World History Museum in San Francisco.

Collecting Sebastian Copeland

Copeland's prints are available through Petra Gut Contemporary as fine art editions, and the combination of genuine expedition provenance, environmental significance and repeated industry recognition gives his work a distinct collecting rationale: these are not studio-produced landscape images but documents from some of the most physically demanding photographic expeditions currently being undertaken. Edition size, print scale and the specific expedition or book a work is drawn from all factor into how collectors evaluate his prints, and Petra Gut Contemporary's team is available to advise on all three. For collectors drawn to large-scale, environmentally engaged photography, Copeland's work sits naturally alongside other artists represented by Petra Gut Contemporary, including the wildlife photography of David Yarrow and the landscape photography of Tom Hegen.

Sebastian Copeland in Switzerland

Petra Gut Contemporary represents Sebastian Copeland in Switzerland, presenting his work across its galleries in Zürich and St. Moritz, including a dedicated online exhibition. The gallery's team is available to advise on his available editions, framing and display, and to arrange viewings or acquisitions at either location or remotely for international clients.

Available Works

The available works below are drawn directly from current gallery stock and update as pieces are acquired or new editions are released. Each listing includes edition details, size and, on request, current pricing and shipping information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sebastian Copeland?

Sebastian Copeland is a British-French-American photographer, polar explorer, author and environmental advocate, born in 1964. Since 1999 he has led 27 expeditions to the polar regions, combining fine art photography with first-hand documentation of the Arctic and Antarctic.

What is Sebastian Copeland known for?

Copeland is known for large-scale fine art photography of the polar regions and for the Antarctica Legacy Crossing, an 82-day, kite-and-ski expedition that made the first crossing of the Antarctic icecap via two of its poles and set three new polar records.

Has Sebastian Copeland published any books?

Yes. He has published four major photographic books: Antarctica: The Global Warning (2007), Antarctica: A Call to Action (2009), Arctica: The Vanishing North (2016), and Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020), the last with a foreword by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Where can I buy Sebastian Copeland photography in Switzerland?

Petra Gut Contemporary, with galleries in Zürich and St. Moritz, represents Sebastian Copeland in Switzerland and offers original fine art editions for sale, along with expert advice on collecting his work.

Is Sebastian Copeland involved in environmental advocacy?

Yes. He served on the board of directors of Global Green USA from 2003 to 2018 and founded the SEDNA Foundation in 2010, a nonprofit focused on educating governments, media and the public about climate change's effects on the polar regions.

Has Sebastian Copeland's work been recognised with awards?

Yes. He has been named Photographer of the Year four times by the International Photography Awards and the Tokyo International Foto Awards, and in 2019 was awarded the National Order of Merit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Is Petra Gut Contemporary an authorised gallery?

Yes. Petra Gut Contemporary represents Sebastian Copeland in Switzerland, presenting his work across its Zürich and St. Moritz galleries, including a dedicated online exhibition.

Which Sebastian Copeland works are currently available?

Available editions change regularly as pieces are acquired by collectors. The current selection is shown in the collection below; contact Petra Gut Contemporary for the latest availability and pricing.