The Natural Eye – Art Book One

From the moment you open this book and read Chris Packham’s Foreword about the courage of artists to interpret perfection in nature, you are hooked. Turning the pages to see the artful ways to present this beauty and perfection is an enlightening alternative to experiencing it for yourself, out there in nature’s broad canvas. A whole world of wildlife is brought into the room with you, brimming with the essence of each subject, telling stories, and setting up wonder in our enquiring minds. This is our view of artists at work - not completed big works for the wall - but small scale, inventive, and coupled with what they mean to the artists themselves.

 

My own selection of favourite works, enhanced by artists’ words, includes: Kim Atkinson’s bumblebee expressing detail of its micro-habitat; Dave Daly’s striking Black Redstart, reminding me that his is the chosen work to illustrate BTO’s Bird Atlas 2007-11; a hot European perspective from Federico Gemma’s flamingoes; a reminder from Rachel Lockwood to turn off the daily world and experience the natural world of the Hare; Harriet Mead’s adventure underwater and the resulting Goby as if saw- blades were made for that purpose; the comfort of the sleeping woodland fox that filled Greg Poole’s scope; the palpable sense of place in Jane Smith’s minimalist yet perfect rasping Corncrake; Esther Tyson’s long wait for garden Long-tailed Tits represented by so little brush work; and Darren Woodhead’s flowery tangle with oh so bright Common Blue butterflies.

 

I am lucky to feel a connection with works in this book. Paul Bartlett’s mixed media Sacred Ibis in France reminds me of Paul’s similar expression of Gannets from the 2007 SWLA exhibition - my first as BTO Director - and which now hangs on my wall as a prompt to the continued development of BTO. John Busby’s Osprey dramatically hitting water, the original of which I won at this year’s Birdfair Original Art Work. And of course the inspiration to do and see more: particularly enticing is Bruce Pearson’s Light-mantled Sooty Albatross in the southern oceans; one day..!

 

Underpinning the stunning artwork and personal words, this is importantly a celebration of 50 years of a very special community, of artists committed to depicting their subjects in ways that stimulate empathy for the natural world. Robert Gillmor’s historical account of bringing the Society into being sets the scene. Looking forward, Bruce Pearson recognises collaborations, and it is energising for BTO to be embarking on an ever more productive partnership with SWLA. As Harriet Mead says, wildlife art can breathe life into the bones of research. BTO does well to remember that!