SWLA NEWS

The SWLA Annual Exhibition which took place at the Mall Galleries, London, from the 26th September to the 7th October 2007, proved a great success with record attendances and sales. Over 400 works were shown by members and selected non members in a variety of media from painting and drawing to sculpture.  Many prizes were awarded, including the Capmark Art Award of £4000 chosen by a distinguished panel of judges who also awarded two runners up prizes of £500.  The first prize was awarded to Harriet Mead for her Green Sea Turtle created from found objects (illustrated).  The two runners up were Matt Underwood and Julian Meredith.  The Birdwatch Artist of the year prize of £1000 plus Swarovski optical equipment was won by John Threlfall, the Birds Illustrated Printmaker’s Award went to Maxine Angus and the RSPB Award was won by Carry Akroyd. Many other prizes and awards were presented by Richard Mabey who officially opened the exhibition.

This year the President’s Guest Artist was Guy Taplin, (see box below) famed for his beautiful driftwood sculptures of birds.  His dedicated and graceful display enhanced the exhibition which this year was the first of the FBA Society exhibitions to take place in the newly refurbished Mall Galleries which is now an excellent space with new lighting, wall and floors, a redesigned reception area and an excellent café.

The quality of work from the membership is of an ever higher standard and the exhibition is gaining more attention from the press and public alike - next year it opens to the public on 24th Sept (watch the CALENDAR page for future details)

Michael Warren's new book Images from birding will be published in August 2007 and launched at the Birdfair, Rutland Water.

It will be available at the Mall Galleries, London and direct from the publisher. sales@langford-press.co.uk

Chris Rose has published a book of his work.

In a Natural Light  features almost 60 full-colour reproductions of his paintings, each accompanied by his own light-hearted but informative commentary with anecdotes describing the inspirational background to the picture and details of the creative processes involved in painting it.

In a Natural Light: 305mm x 270mm, hard-back, 144pp in full colour.

£35  Langford Press ISBN1-904078-16-8 

See: www.chrisrose-artist.co.uk or www.langford-press.co.uk

The Wood is Sweet, published May 2005 in paperback by the John Clare Society with linocut illustrations by Carry Akroyd.  A bargain at £7.95, an order form for the book can be downloaded via the John Clare Society website or Carry’s website,  and will also be available at this year’s Birdfair.