A unique exhibition to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Society of Wildlife Artists.
2D and 3D works by members who have played an important role in the journey of the Society thus far, including work by all its past-presidents. The SWLA continues to be a hugely influential organisation delighting in the natural world through fine art.
About The SWLA:
Back in the late 1950’s, the original work of wildlife artists was not readily available even though it was a time of widespread and growing interest in natural history. With a society of artists in mind which might seize such an opportunity, Robert Gillmor and Eric Ennion, with the enthusiastic support of Keith Shackleton and Peter Scott, organised an exhibition of contemporary bird paintings in the Reading Art Gallery in 1960. It then went on tour for a year. Such was the interest, the tour was extended and R.B. Talbot-Kelly and Maurice Wilson joined the organisers to plan a society to build on the momentum. They began inviting founder members and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) was formed.
Their first exhibition (1964) featured 149 works by 35 founder members. Today it has 63 elected members and 3 Associate Members. Their annual show ‘Natural Eye has over 300 works. In 1990 The SWLA became a registered charity through which it arranges exhibitions, publications, bursaries and partnerships delivered through the energy of individual artist members, many of whom are celebrated in this unique selection.
This exhibition highlights the work of some of the key drivers of the Society through its life. Sadly some of the founder members are no longer alive – people like Hugh B. Cott, Eric Ennion, Sir Peter Scott, Eileen Soper, John Busby, Richard Talbot-Kelly, Robert Gillmor, David Koster, Keith Shakleton, David Measures and David Shepherd, but their legacy lives on through initiatives of the Society and the work of its current artists.