The line of freedom

This work arose from encounters. From quiet moments in the national parks of South Africa, where herds of zebras move through the landscape at a natural distance. Not as intimate experiences, but as observations made with respect. From the understanding that true wilderness needs space.

Zebras only tolerate closeness up to a certain point. Their perception is precise, their reaction immediate. A misjudged distance can be fatal. This vigilance is not an expression of fear, but a survival strategy. Distance is not a retreat for zebras.

It is protection. It is precisely this distance that makes encounters authentic. Those who do not crowd wild animals experience them in their true presence. Tranquility arises not from approach, but from accepting the space that nature requires. This experience fundamentally shapes Brandhoek's work. It invites us not to possess wilderness, but to observe it.

The zebra is representative of many species whose populations are often overestimated. Worldwide, it is estimated that only around 530,000 to 540,000 zebras remain today. About a hundred years ago, there were well over a million. There are three zebra species, each facing very different circumstances.

The plains zebra is the most common species with approximately 500,000 animals, but its population is considered to be declining.

The mountain zebra population numbers around 30,000 to 35,000 animals and is heavily dependent on protected areas.

The Grevy's zebra is critically endangered, with only about 2,000 to 3,000 animals remaining worldwide.

Habitat loss, water scarcity, disrupted migration routes and increasing human proximity are putting the animals under pressure.

Migratory species like zebras, in particular, rely on being able to freely assess and maintain distances. This work serves as a reminder that proximity does not automatically equate to connection, and that respect for nature often begins with taking a step back.