Kerry Skarbakka’s arresting photography series, The Struggle to Right Oneself, captures the raw tension of the human body suspended in mid-air, frozen in a moment of precarious imbalance. Using himself as the subject, Skarbakka stages perilous falls from ladders, cliffs, and staircases, each image a meticulously choreographed dance between control and chaos. The work transcends mere physicality, becoming a powerful metaphor for life’s uncertainties — those split-second instants where everything teeters between recovery and disaster. His photographs don’t just depict falling; they evoke the universal act of trying to regain footing, both literally and existentially.
Beyond the immediate thrill of danger, Skarbakka’s work delves into psychological and philosophical territory. The body’s contortions — arms outstretched, muscles taut — mirror the internal struggle to maintain stability in an unstable world. His use of stark, unembellished settings strips away distractions, forcing confrontation with vulnerability. Yet, there’s an odd beauty in the defiance of gravity, a quiet heroism in the refusal to succumb. The series challenges perceptions of failure, suggesting that the act of striving itself holds meaning, even when the outcome remains uncertain.
Skarbakka’s process is as intense as the images suggest, requiring physical endurance, precise timing, and a willingness to embrace risk. Each photograph is a performance, a fleeting moment preserved through technical mastery. The result is a body of work that resonates deeply, tapping into primal fears and triumphs. By turning his own body into a canvas of struggle, Skarbakka creates a mirror for the human condition — one that reflects not just the fear of falling, but the relentless, often unseen, effort to rise.
More info: Website, Instagram.
in Bahia. 