Powerful photography exhibition captures bali’s plastic pollution crisis and local heroes fighting back

Bali’s pristine beaches, once synonymous with tropical paradise, are facing an environmental catastrophe that grows more severe each year. This January, the Indonesian island was overwhelmed by massive waves of plastic waste washing ashore, creating a stark contrast between the tourism destination’s natural beauty and the reality of global pollution.

Photographer and filmmaker Sean Gallagher witnessed this environmental disaster firsthand, traveling to Bali to document both the scale of the plastic pollution crisis and the remarkable individuals working tirelessly to combat it. His lens captured not just the devastating scenes of beaches and riverbanks choked with debris, but also the human stories behind the cleanup efforts—local residents, environmental activists, and community volunteers who face the seemingly impossible task of clearing tons of waste that continuously wash up on their shores.

Gallagher’s compelling photographic portraits tell a story of resilience in the face of overwhelming environmental challenges. The images reveal how plastic pollution affects real communities, while highlighting the determination of those refusing to give up on their home’s natural heritage.

These powerful photographs are currently featured as part of the 2025 Head On Photo Festival, displayed along the Bondi Beach promenade through November 30th. The exhibition location is particularly poignant—another iconic beach destination where visitors can reflect on the global nature of ocean plastic pollution while viewing Bali’s struggle through Gallagher’s compelling visual narrative.