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It took 102 years for a colony of Italian snails to be discovered at...
Society of Wildlife Artists blog: Judgement Day
Confrontation, Storoya, by Darren Rees
By Darren Rees
I’ve never seen so many tigers in one room. The prevalence of hunting dogs and meerkats is a testament to the power of tv, and a multitude of lapwings and avocets is the tradition. But the pink river dolphin is a surprise.
Where is this menagerie? The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, perhaps? No, I’m on the selection panel for The Natural Eye, the new name for the annual exhibition by the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA), and it's judgement day.
Eight hundred paintings, prints and sculptures from artists inspired by nature are pored over with a critical eye to sort the good from the not-so-good.
One artist’s view of what’s good is not always the same as that of another. Ask 11 artists their opinion and you will inevitably get 11 different answers. But a democratic eight thumbs-up will get you in to the show; seven or six will spark an animated discussion; anything less and you’re out…
Some work meets with unanimous approval, from beautiful wood cuts by Greg Poole to sumptuous oils from Matt Underwood. And many other gems have been submitted by artists worldwide, brought together in celebration of the wonders of wildlife. It’s an enviable opportunity to enjoy a sneak preview of a delightful show.
After a long day judging, we are down to 344 works - and I even manage to smuggle my paintings in. One of them is Confrontation, Storoya (above).
Simples!
The Natural Eye, the annual exhibition of the SWLA, will take place from 22 September - 2 October at the Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1.
To find out more or visit the website of the Society of Wildlife Artists, click here.
Darren Rees has been painting for over 20 years and is one of the UK's most highly respected wildlife artists. His first solo book Bird Impressions was published in 1993 to much critical acclaim. He is a knowledgeable naturalist and also acts as a guide on wildlife tours around the world.
To visit Darren's website click here.
