SWLA NEWS

The 46th Annual SWLA Exhibition took place at the Mall Galleries in London, in late September and early October.   Chris Packham, wildlife television presenter, photographer and author, officially opened the show and presented the various prizes and awards.  Regular visitors to past exhibitions have come to expect the high quality and diversity that was again evident in this collection of rigorously selected works by both members and non members and displayed to the highest standards in the recently refurbished Galleries.

This year was the centenary of the birth of Sir Peter Scott, ornithologist, conservationist and artist.  Sir Peter Scott was an important supporter and founder of the Society and we were delighted to show some of his works in a dedicated display. 

Andrew Stock

Antarctic Tern - Bransfield Strait

The bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin also falls this year and his undoubted contribution to wildlife, nature and its origins inspired the Society to put on another dedicated display, which, with the help of the Haslemere Educational Museum, showed various books, artefacts and other Darwin related materials alongside relevant works by our member artists. A key part of this display was the life-sized sculpture of the Galapagos giant tortoise known as ‘Lonesome George’ made in scrap metal by award winning member Harriet Mead and on loan from his owner for the duration of the exhibition.

 Prizes and Awards this year included the Birdwatch Artist of the Year Prize in association with Swarovski Optic, which was won by Darren Woodhead, the Langford Press Award, won by Nick Derry, and the St. Cuthberts Award which was won by Josephine Sumner. Other award winners included Dan Cole (RSPB), Peter Partington (Hawk and Owl Trust), Mark Irving (PJC Drawing Award), Kim Atkinson (Birdscapes Gallery Print Award), Anna Kirk-Smith (Birdscapes Gallery Award and the Wildlife Trusts Underwater Award), and Chris Rose (Arts Club Award). 

Paul Bartlett

Through the Reeds

BURSARY WINNER 2009

2009 SWLA bursary winner Chris Wallbank will be using his award to travel across the Bay of Biscay by ferry and into the Picos de Europa National Park on foot between 7th October and 9th November. Over this month he is hoping to observe and document a whole range of ecosystems, supporting wildlife from deep diving cetaceans to high altitude dwelling species like the Rebeco and Wallcreeper. Find out exactly what he discovers by following the expedition’s online log and sketch book at picoslog.blogspot.com

NATURES POWERS AND SPELLS

Carry Akroyd’s characteristically colourful and organised landscape images examine the relationship between humans and wildlife. This book samples work from twenty years; Carry’s printmaking and painting over that time reflect various influences, not least a sense of history in the landscape. Her observations make connection with the nineteenth century poet John Clare, and illustrate how they both reacted to the sudden agricultural modernisations that transformed their local countryside. Some of her images are a lament, while others just express a sheer joy derived from the natural world. From direct drawing in the landscape to the interplay between deliberation and impulse in the studio, this book follows ideas from their inspiration to their expression.

Contact  www.carryakroyd.co.uk or www.langford-press.co.uk for details

ART OF THE NEW NATURALISTS

This book by Peter Marren and Robert Gillmor is a detailed illustrated account of all the jackets of the New Naturalist series since 1945. The first seventy covers were created by graphic artists and designers Clifford and Rosemary Ellis who succeeded in setting the design for the series and in doing so created an iconic brand. The last forty two jackets have been designed by Robert Gillmor who took over in 1985. The book will include all the published covers plus supporting sketches, roughs and abandoned ideas. Art of the New Naturalists will be launched at an exhibition of Robert’s covers at the Pinkfoot Gallery in Cley on 24th October. For more information contact the gallery www.pinkfootgallery.com

Michael Warren's new book Images from birding 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. www.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.