Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Since a young age I have been interested in photography. Before digital cameras I would develop my films and print my photographs in a darkroom. I learnt to appreciate beautiful photography and one photographer that I have admired over the years is Australia’s own Ken Duncan.
Born in 1954, Ken is regarded as one of Australia's most acclaimed landscape photographers, and gained prominence for his pioneering work with panoramic landscapes and limited-edition photographic prints. In my opinion, his works captures the beauty of God’s glorious creation. He has been recognised for his photography by the receiving of many photography and book awards. He was made Citizen of the Year in 2009 by Gosford City for his long-standing contribution to his home region of the NSW Central Coast and also in 2009, Ken received the Medal Of The Order Of Australia (OAM) for his services to landscape photography, publishing and the arts.
On the Central Coast of NSW is the Ken Duncan Gallery Set amidst a beautiful blend of natural bush and landscaped gardens. Leisl and I have been there, and it is a beautiful Gallery and Café showcasing his spectacular photographs.
Ken spent time travelling America where he captured the 50 states of that country for his photo-book America Wide: In God We Trust. The book was launched on September 7, 2001. On September 10 it was given to former president George W Bush by then Australian prime minister John Howard. Mr Howard asked Duncan to accompany the gift with a letter explaining why he decided to publish the book. In the letter, Duncan wrote: “Mr Bush, the reason why I’d done this book is to remind America that the only thing which would keep them strong for troubled times ahead is their faith in God, and that is under attack. Trust in God”. The next day, the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred.
Later, President Bush would write Ken a letter saying, “Ken, at a time when I had to make some very heavy decisions over my nation, I’d like to thank you for this book, because I’m reminded how blessed our nation is by God. Thank you so much on behalf of myself and my wife Laura.” According to Duncan, he started the America project because of a burden laid upon him by God. Duncan went ahead with the project never understanding why, until the day the planes flew into the World Trade Center.
Ken was raised in a Christian home. His parents were missionaries among indigenous people in the Kimberley where his parents instilled in him love for indigenous people. But in his 20s Ken travelled his own faith journey which included Buddhism, Hinduism, Aboriginal spiritualism. For Ken, he tried every “ism” because he thought Christianity was far too simple. Through a series of hard yet amazing events where he cried out to God to rescue him after a mountain fall, gangrene in his body, hypothermia, and demonic manifestations Ken surrender his life to Jesus Christ.
Today, while mainly marketing to a secular audience, His works all point to our Creator God. He declares that “the world needs to see the reality of Christ like never before”.
2023 saw the dedication of a cross that Ken was instrumental in raising the funds for through his Walk a While Foundation. This cross is something else – it stands a huge 20 metres tall on top of Memory Mountain in central Australia. This incredible cross in the heart of our country was the vision of many local Aboriginal people who wanted to share their land and faith to all. This is on my bucket list to visit.
It is in nature that Ken experiences God. He says, “I love spending time out in nature, because that’s where I talk to God more”. I must say that this is often the case for me which is why I enjoy caravanning. King David saw and experienced the presence of God in nature. As a shepherd he was always out in nature and there were times when he was older that he escaped to the mountains. He saw how big God was in creation. He wrote in Psalm 8 verse 1, “O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens” (Psalms 8:1 NLT). And yet while David questioned his worth in verses 3 and 4, he acknowledges that God has indeed placed great worth in us. There is something about experiencing the presence of God, His greatness and creativity in nature. We just need to pause, look, and listen.
Please join with me in prayer.
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Thank you for artists like Ken Duncan that beautifully capture Your creation. Help us to pause, look, and listen so we might experience Your presence and hear Your voice. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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