Gambling Away Our Future

• Prize
  Silver in Fine Art/Other
• Photographer
  Claudia Rubner
• Technical Info
  Alu-dibond Direct Print. Group Picture: 140x100cm, Single Pictures: 100x62cm
• Photo Date
  10.10.2024

The underwater photo series links the escalating climate crisis to our long history of ignoring truth and delaying action. Inspired by Coolidge’s Dogs Playing Poker, it shows elegant figures wearing latex masks of endangered animals, seated at a table as the water rises—playing a seemingly already lost game with stakes that are way too high. Made with recycled materials, the work reflects on choices driven by short-term profit rather than long-term responsibility. It draws attention to patterns of denial and avoidance—an invitation to face reality, take responsibility, and choose differently.

Claudia Rubner is an Italian underwater photographer and camera operator. After moving to England at 16, she completed advanced dive training and studied cinematography. Since returning, she develops her own projects. Her work has shown in Italy, Spain, the UK and Germany. In 2025 she won the Ocean Collective Gala's Newcomer Award for her series Gambling Away Our Future. Rubner reflects on climate change, identity and feminism, using water as metaphor and medium. Her surreal imagery deals with real-world concerns and invites viewers to rethink their relation to water, nature and themselves.