Desautels Alumnus Terry Jackson’s Wildlife Photography Brings Life to Armstrong Building
Desautels students in the newly opened Donald E. Armstrong Building are already making use of Room 050, officially named the Terry and Bonnie Jackson Room. A modern study space, it is recognizable by the wildlife photography that adorns its walls, which were taken by Desautels alumnus and former International Faculty Advisory Board member Terry Jackson (BCom’69). The images capture the beauty of a variety of wildlife from around the world and elevate what would otherwise be an ordinary working area.
While expressing his appreciation of the recently added artwork, current BCom student Igor Svoboda says, “As a student, I spend a lot of time studying and the environment in which I do so is very important. This is the most modern workspace that I have seen on campus so far, but what makes it truly unique is the beautiful photographs mounted on the walls across the room. It really is an ideal space for productive studying, something that so many students need.”
Jackson fell in love with the art of photography when he began to document his family’s everyday moments in the 1970s. Almost two decades later in 1995, Jackson tried his hand at a different genre of photography when he travelled to Africa for two weeks during his six-month sabbatical. Unknown to him at the time, this trip would be the birth of a long-standing passion that he has nurtured ever since. However, it was only at the turn of the millennium, in the year 2000, that his efforts were catalyzed by the emergence of digital photography.
“My first big trip was in 2005 when I went to the Galapagos Islands [in Ecuador], which is a photographer’s dream,” Jackson reminisces fondly. Although he always has his sights set on his next destination, he is quick to appreciate all the places he has already had the privilege of photographing. “I have been so fortunate to get to some unique corners of the world. The Antarctic, South Georgia [South Atlantic ocean], Borneo [South East Asia], Rwanda, Madagascar – the list goes on,” he says.
While reflecting on what he aspires to capture with his photography, Jackson notes how challenging it can be to create something that is truly unique. However, his focus usually revolves around recording his subjects in motion and their facial expression, something he does notably well.
Jackson admits that it requires much work and effort to publicly show and sell works such as his. His photographs have mostly belonged to his private collection, donning the walls of his home in Oakville and Palm Springs. He is, however, very excited to have his work now hanging in the Armstrong Building and to be a part of creating an inspiring space for eager young minds at the Desautels Faculty of Management.
–Barbara M. Karuana
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