Gabriel Moses, The Last Hour4 Images
If you knew that your final hour was approaching, how would you spend the time you had left? This is the question that’s been on Gabriel Moses’ mind lately. “I feel like a lot of us live our lives not knowing,” the London-born photographer and filmmaker tells Dazed. “But if you did know, what would your approach be? Maybe that family member you’ve been very distant from, you’d reach out. Or… there’s a lot of things we just push to the back of our agenda, because we think we’ve got time.”
In his new short film, The Last Hour, this problem takes a physical shape. We join the protagonist as he wakes up with a time bomb on his chest, visibly ticking toward zero. At first, he panics (an understandable response) but over the course of the film’s runtime we begin to see him grapple with various emotions, confronting deep questions about human morality and legacy. “You’re right behind him as he goes through this journey,” adds Moses, who shot the short in Atlanta with support from Timberland. The aim? To produce something “powerful, thought-provoking, and entertaining at the same time,” and ultimately make the audience question how they themselves are living.
Moses himself has been thinking about questions of purpose and legacy for a long time. “I’ve been obsessed with the idea of building a legacy since I was 18, and every action is for my future self, or for a generation after me,” he says. “That’s the standpoint that I’ve created from. I wanted to create timeless work from the off.”
Trust your eye… There’s a million artists around the world, so what separates you from the rest? It’s your perspective, your memories, what you bring into the work – Gabriel Moses
There’s no denying that he’s succeeded in building that strong legacy, either. The Last Hour – which is Moses’ first narrative-led film – was actually commissioned by 180 Studios (and executive produced by Division and GOAT) for an extensive exhibition of his work at 180 Studios, running until 27 July 2025. Titled Selah, and curated by Katja Horvat in collaboration with 180 Studios, this brings together more than 70 photos and ten films, showcasing his unique image-making across fashion, music and sport. In many cases, this work has also seen him collide with major cultural figures like Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, Schoolboy Q, Skepta, and Jude Bellingham.
The inclusion of The Last Hour in the show represents the growth that Moses has experienced over the last few years. “The scale is increasing, my resources are increasing,” he says. “The audience is getting bigger.” Part of his skill, though, lies in not reacting to those external changes, or letting them influence the art he continues to create. “It’s creating work that still has the essence of myself, but scaling it up… being able to elevate [it] every time, and evolve.”
Take the involvement of Timberland on this film, for example. “Timberland is just a natural part of history to me. It’s been a part of culture as long as I’ve been around,” he explains. “To me, it’s a no-brainer to partner with brands like that because it’s almost like a seamless fit. I’ve always wanted to create work that’s honest to myself and my environment, and I feel like Timberland screams that.” In fact, the relationship goes back to a 13-year-old Moses wearing his first pair of Timberland six-inch boots. “[It] was a big thing. It’s a style I’ve always seen on TV and in music videos. Places with visuals that, as a child, can seem so distant. Having your own pair makes you feel so much closer to that culture.”
Staying true to his vision also requires him to remain open to new learning experiences and to keep asking questions, he explains. “I never stop asking questions, because that’s the only way you’re gonna get better.” Does he have any other nuggets of wisdom for young creatives looking to break out like he did, beginning with a YouTube channel at just 17 years old? “Trust your eye, your perspective,” he advises. “There’s a million artists around the world, so what separates you from the rest? It’s your perspective, your memories, what you bring into the work.”
Selah runs at 180 Studios until 27 July 2025. A screening of The Last Hour (commissioned by 180 Studios, and executive produced by Division and GOAT) is also headed out the US later this year.
