Conceptual nominee

Made to mark Earth Day. Depicting figures underwater being consumed by plastic, I titled this piece ‘Dystopia’ I wanted to make this piece to demonstrate that if we don’t act soon, our future as a planet is heading towards destruction. It has always been a desire of mine to make images that celebrate the beauty of the natural underwater world, and with this passion comes a desire to protect.

I rescued a roll of plastic sheeting out of a bin around a year ago and have carried it with me on every shoot, hoping to have the chance to make an image like this. It ended up being a trip to Mexico that allowed me the right location, a good amount of time and multiple skilled freediving models to be able to make this.

Lexi Laine is based in the UK and specialises in creating ethereal underwater photography in some of the most unique locations around the globe. She has spent several years training as a freediver in order to extend the amount of time she can stay underwater. Works responding to the human impact on the marine environment can be seen throughout the artist’s portfolio. Influences of historical painting, fantasy and folklore can also often be found in her images. Laine enjoys explorations of surreal contradictions, blurring boundaries and using photography as a means to create otherworldly, emotive art.

Laine studied BA Fine Art at UCA (University for the Creative Arts) Canterbury in 2001-2004 and since graduating has been building her career as a photographer and artist. In 2020 Laine was awarded the winner of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Photography Award. In 2018 and 2019 she was awarded ‘Image of the Year’ by leading UK training provider, Photography Farm. Also in 2019 Laine was sponsored by Sony UK to create a short behind the scenes documentary of her practise titled 'Under The Surface'. The project was undertaken in the magical cenotes of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.