In conversation with Jasper Doest
Documentary photographer Jasper Doest presents Meet Bob, one of his most celebrated and moving projects, born from an extraordinary encounter with Bob, a Caribbean flamingo rescued after a serious accident on the island of Curaçao in the Dutch Antilles.
After crashing into the glass window of a hotel during flight, Bob was rescued by veterinarian Odette Doest, founder of the FDOC, an organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Unable to return to the wild, the flamingo eventually became a symbol of conservation, accompanying Odette on school visits to help raise awareness among younger generations about the importance of protecting the environment.
Through intimate and surprising images, Doest documents Bob’s daily life and the delicate relationship that develops between humans and wild animals. With a poetic and deeply empathetic approach, Meet Bob becomes a reflection on the fragile balance between humanity and nature, the value of compassion, and the responsibility each of us shares in protecting biodiversity.
The project transforms Bob’s story into a powerful symbol of resilience and coexistence, reminding us how even a single act of care can inspire meaningful positive change.
Take advantage of this event to plan a weekend in Siena and fully experience the exhibitions and events of the Siena Awards Festival.
Info
Location: Teatro dei Rinnovati |
Piazza del Campo, 1 – Siena
Date: 9 october 2026
Time: 7:10 pm
Photographer Biography: Jasper Doest is a Dutch photographer whose work explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Trained in ecology and deeply interested in anthropology, he uses photography to investigate how culture, symbolism, and environmental change shape the way people perceive and interact with animals. His projects often reveal the emotional and ethical dimensions of this relationship, highlighting both the tensions and the connections that bind human societies to the natural environment.
Committed to the idea that photography can foster awareness and positive change, Doest is a National Geographic Explorer, a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and an ambassador for World Wide Fund for Nature. His work has been widely published and exhibited internationally, and he has received numerous international awards, including four World Press Photo Awards and four honors at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Across continents and cultures, Doest is driven by a deep commitment to authentic storytelling and a profound respect for the people, animals, and places he documents.
Through long-term projects, experimental visual approaches, and close collaboration with scientists and conservationists, Doest’s work reflects a belief in photography’s power to inspire empathy, challenge perceptions, and encourage a more thoughtful relationship with the natural world.
