About Us
Wildlife Art continues to be an important part of Slimbridge Wetland Centre, building on the artistic legacy of Sir Peter Scott. In 2000, the Cheng - Kim Loke Gallery was opened with a retrospective of his work and has since housed exhibitions by many local and internationally recognised artists, displaying a wide variety of media. Slimbridge is proud to represent established stars of the Wildlife Art world, whilst highlighting the work of young talented artists who are building promising careers.
The art gallery plays host to six exhibitions of wildlife art each year. All mediums are shown from water colours to 3D works. It's a wonderful place to find one off pieces at extremely affordable prices and a percentage of all sales goes to the conservation work of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
Slimbridge gallery is available to hire for private and corporate functions, to discuss your requirements please call 01453 891115.
The images on this page not necessarily for sale . But aredispayed to give you an idea of the type of work these artists do .
Current Show
AT HOME WITH NATURE
3 May 2009 to 29 June 2009
Exhibition launch Sunday 3 May 2- 4 p.m
Artists: Emma Ball, Libby Edmondson , Martin Cheek & Lisa Katzenstein .
Emma Ball
Libby Edmondson
Martin Cheek
" Having made an award winning film as a student, I worked on several puppet animation projects including The Wind in the Willows, Paddington Bear, Noddy in Toyland and Portland Bill, before setting up my own production company, Cheeky films Ltd. For many years I was a part-time lecturer in animation at The Royal College of Art and a former art critic for the Daily Express. I now work full time as a mosaic artist.
I have become increasingly interested in the applied arts, particularly mosaic, which is becoming more and more popular both as an art form and as a decorative medium. I regard my mosaic work as a logical progression from animation, both of which involve building a coherent whole, displaying character and movement, from thousands of tiny elements. I am particularly inspired by the natural world and relish the challenge of capturing its organic grace in such a seemingly uncompromising medium.
I find that my most creative time is between jobs – when I have the time to experiment and try new things .Nature and the natural world is undoubtedly the single greatest inspiration to me and my work. After a while you begin to see things ‘in mosaic terms’ – so if for example, you see a frog leaping out of the pond with a trail of water behind him, you immediately think – “That would work really well in mosaic!” I’m sure that all of the members can relate to that feeling.
That brings me naturally on to just LOOKING at things – have you ever seen an anatomical drawing on a snail? It really does look like some fantastic creature – right out of a science fiction film. I do remember clearly Tom aged about three, seeing a flamingo for the first time and saying to me “Look at that bird sitting on a stick!” Which I still think is the best description of a flamingo ever. That inspired a mosaic. I went home and drew it up immediately.
I will say though, that one thing leads to another – I usually get my idea for the NEXT mosaic whilst working on the current on. A new material like a glass fusion or a piece of millefiori can inspire a whole new ‘oeuvre’ – yes I KNOW that that contradicts what I’ve said in the forums – but sometimes I just like to be provocative – to try and get people thinking".
Three of Martin Cheek wounderfull mosic .
Lisa Katzenstein
Hamish Mackie 2 June - 17 July
Hamish Mackie is one of the top UK wildlife sculptors . His inspiration stems from the natural world around us. Hamish has always had a fascination that you can reproduce a figure print from a clay original into a bronze, which shows in his work . He will be exhibiting his work with in the centre building and in the grounds .
A SPLASH OF COLOUR
5 July 2009 to 10 August 2009
Exhibition launch Sunday 5 July 2- 4 p.m
Artists: David Cook & Alison Ingram.
David Cook
David has always drawn, painted and been fascinated with paper. His mother claimed he did his first painting aged two! Much later, he was invited to study at the Medway College of Art in Kent , choosing photography.
On completion he joined the photographic staff of Country Life Magazine. As well as painting backgrounds, building and decorating room sets, David was able to work with, and learn from, many international artists, photographers, designers, and even chefs! Annigoni, Peter Scott, Cecil Beaton, Hartnell, Norman Parkinson and the irrepressible Fanny Craddock, amongst others. Meanwhile, continuing his studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic.
As a Research and Scientific photographer, within the Bowater’s Paper Company, David was able to combine my great interests. He blames his obsession with paper on Rupert Bear! Within his Annuals he discovered the delights of Origami. Seeing a 17th Century, Polish paper sculpture at the Victoria & Albert Museum encouraged him in a new direction. But in this and paper cutting, Davis had to teach myself.
David is not an ornithologist or zoologist, but the beauty and diversity of nature has always been his artistic inspiration. Trying to capture it in pencil, pastel, paint or paper is a continuing challenge and one that David still enjoys. Roland Hildar taught him the benefits of a limited palette. I’m not normally a ‘colourful’ artist, but for this exhibition there is a Splash of Colour!
Alison Ingram
Alison Ingram is a talented and versatile wildlife artist renowned for her beautiful abstract wildlife paintings. Alison's work is highly distinctive for it’s exploration into the world of colour, light, form and design. Her abstract wildlife paintings use harmonious colour and design to unite the painting and are instantly recognisable and unforgettable. Her passion for wildlife is reflected in her work and shows her deep understanding of animal and bird behaviour and their interaction with the environment. Her paintings are vibrant and lively making full use of both the positive and negative space.
COASTLINES
16 August 2009 to 28 September 2009
Exhibition launch Sunday 16 August 2- 4 p.m
Artists: Paul Henery , Greg Poole.& Richard Heriot-Spence
Paul Henery
Greg Poole
Richard Heriot -Spence
Richard Heriot-Spence is a professional sculptor who has produced a superb and unique range of high quality sculptures, including the fantastic Bird of Prey which was only completed a few months ago, standing over 9 inches tall and weighing over 2 Kg and a selection of specially commissioned sculptures individually produced for people from all walks of life.
His sculpting career began over 15 years ago, when his late father challenged him to sculpt something better than a particular piece they had both seen in an Art Gallery. ‘If you think you could do better than that, then do it, he said. I'll give you three months.Beginning with the study of musculature, and focusing on the essence of what he wished to project in the final piece, Richard applied himself to the challenge and set to work.
Three months later the day came when he had to show his father the result of his efforts. He always felt that the sculpture was 'not quite finished', however his father insisted. He reached forward clasped the satin dust sheet, and then with a small, somewhat nervous flourish, swept the cover off. His father was more than impressed and Richard remembers that first unveiling as one of the proudest moments of his life. He has never looked back.
Today, more than 15 years later, Richard still remembers his fathers words of advice - ‘Rely on your judgment and instinct, and always keep your standards high’.
He now lives in the beautiful county of Dorset on the south coast of England where he creates his work from his studio overlooking the fantastic Dorset countryside, and comments that "inspiration is all around me". Using this inspiration he has built a reputation for producing fine quality sculptures which will be enjoyed by many, and treasured for a lifetime.
4 October 2009 to 26 October 2009
Exhibition launch Sunday 4 October 2- 4 p.m
Lars Jonsson.
Lars Jonsson, artist, author and ornithologist was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1952 and has since early childhood been fascinated in drawing and painting birds. He held his first exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Stockholm at the age of fifteen.
It was in 1974 that he started a project with a series of five field guides of European birds that were published 1978-1981. These fives works gave him international recognition as Lars’s depiction of plumage, movement and character was revealed as unparalleled. These guides were combined and revised into one volume ‘Birds of Europe, with North Africa and the Middle East’ published throughout Europe in 1991/92. This volume had over 400 colour illustrations which included 140 new colour plates.
Lars has exhibited widely in galleries and museums in Sweden and in many other countries in Europe and America. In 2002 as an artist he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the faculty of Historical Philosophy at Uppsala University.
His two most recent books, widely aclaimed are Birds and Light, The Art of Lars Jonsson published in 2002 and Lars Jonsson’s Birds based on an exhibition of his work touring Germany, Denmark and Austria from the autumn 2008 until January 2010.
He currently lives on the Island of Gotland with his wife and four children. In 2004 the Museum Lars Jonsson opened with a permanent collection of his work. It is here in Gotland where he draws his inspiration from the shores and the rich agricultural landscape.
“Most of my inspiration comes from painting outdoor, and sketching while looking through a telescope is the basis for everything I do. My drive is usually to try and capture the life and the atmosphere surrounding birds in their natural habitat. To create a sense of presence while portraying individual birds is essential to me”.
ART FOR ALL
1 November 2009 to 6 January 2010
Exhibition launch Sunday 11 November 2- 4 p.m
Artists: Mixed show .
Note: The above images will not necessarily be for sale at the exhibition but displayed here to give you an idea of the type of work , these artist do.
How to Order
If you are unable to attend an exhibition or have seen something you like and would like to place an order please call 01453 891221 or email info.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk.