Anthony Gibbs is at the forefront of wildlife art in the UK. His extreme attention to detail whilst never losing the life of the subject, and his portrayal of textures and the play of light have made his work eagerly collected. This stunning display embraces new works together with iconic ones from years past.
WE ARE VERY SORRY THAT DUE TO CORONAVIRUS THIS EXHIBITION HAS HAD TO BE POSTPONED.
A stunning selection of works by members of the UK Colour Pencil Society who, for this annual exhibition, are focusing on the natural world. Expect a wide range of interpretations from the traditional to new and fresh ways of depicting nature.
WE ARE VERY SORRY THAT DUE TO CORONAVIRUS THIS EXHIBITION HAS HAD TO BE CANCELLED. WE WILL PUBLISH THE NEW DATES (2021) AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.
‘Light in the Darkness’ is an exhibition of artwork by clients of The Independence Trust and will be on display in our Education Centre. They have promised a wonderful array of media including sculpture, poetry, collage , wycinanki, pastels, oil and acrylic paintings, much of which was created during the difficult lockdown period of Covid–19. Together, they symbolise the different shades of light and dark an individual can feel living with a mental health diagnosis. There will also be a Covid safe ‘Virtual Reality’ experience and a chance to buy handmade, original crafts for Christmas.
Independence Trust is a registered charity to support adults with mental illness throughout the county of Gloucestershire. They run a triage, assessment and recovery service for clients referred in by GP’s, Mental Health Services or self-referrals. Their remit is to provide social inclusion to individuals suffering with a severe MH diagnosis. This can involve one to one support into training, education, volunteering or employment, signposting and participation in their peer group activities.
OPEN: Friday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
A stunning display of over 100 images selected from the first 10 years of the renowned British Wildlife Photography Awards. This decade of annual competitions has brought together the very best nature photography in a unique legacy captured by thousands of dedicated and talented photographers which has reached millions each year through exhibitions, books and exceptional media coverage. An exhibition not to be missed.
Please note: The dates of this exhibition are different to those previously advertised due to Covid-19.
THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE FOR THIS EXHIBITION
We are delighted to welcome back TWASI with their annual exhibition made up of work by both full time and part time artists and makers. Come and enjoy over 300 exhibits inspired by wildlife and wild places. With their usual variety of media and styles, there will be a broad range of work embracing paintings, drawings, miniatures, sculptures, original prints, photography and digital media. Artists will be demonstrating each day. Almost all the original works will be for sale together with prints, greetings cards and other consumer items. Each year the Society donates a proportion of its sales proceeds to charity. This year their chosen charity is Explorers against Extinction. www.explorersagainstextinction.co.uk. (See also Wallsworth Evenings.)
Take-Off – A celebration of birds in paintings, drawings, original prints, sculpture and decorative arts.
As we move out of Covid towards a ‘new normal’, it is interesting that many people have stories to tell of how bird song and birds have lifted their spirits over the past year. It seems apt that birds again can help inspire us to ‘take off’ from the lows of the pandemic to what we hope will be fertile new pastures and opportunities ahead. It’s surely true that many of us have gazed into the sky, seen a bird and dreamt of taking flight?
Many surveys suggest that people have begun to appreciate nature more since the pandemic began, as well as value the lower noise levels and cleaner air. When one considers that as magnificent as the dawn chorus is at this time year, it will be 40 million birds quieter than 50 years ago (that’s how many birds we’ve lost since 1970 largely because of human activity), many hope that this new found interest will be sustained in the years ahead.
Artists have been fascinated by birds for thousands of years. From ancient cave paintings to the present day, humans have long been inspired by birds, their ability to take flight, and the unique perspective they have on the world around us. Birds enthrall us with their stunning plumage, amusing antics, and lilting song. Avian art inspires in endlessly novel ways too, evoking the freedom of flight and the fragility of their earthbound existence.
So this selection of work brings together items from Nature in Art’s own collection and other items lent for display, that together celebrate birds.
A Brush with Light – Paintings by Anthony Gibbs
MEET ANTHONY GIBBS ON July 31st and August 1st, 21st and 22nd
Nature in Art has been very fortunate to have had an association with Anthony Gibbs since our very earliest days. His work was on show the very first day we opened our doors to the public. This special selection of some of his older and very latest original works, including many generously loaned from private collections, highlight Anthony’s skill of bringing light and life into the amazing detail that he achieves – a beguiling mixture of an eye for minutia and a sensitivity and alertness to the spirit of the scene and the essence of the subject.
Currently we have his renowned oil painting ‘Punchy’ which never fails to stop visitors in their tracks. (Pictured is Anthony half way through painting it). This painting was one of two that received the USA based Society of Animal Artists ‘Award for Excellence’, two of many awards and accolades that he has received. Typical of his style, it is paintings like this that have given him international recognition as one of the UK’s best known wildlife artists. His renowned painting ‘White Tigers ever Watchful’ also will be included in this exhibition.
It is no accident that Anthony paints nature – he is passionate about conservation. So, more often than not viewers of his work are not simply intrigued and inspired by his painting technique (he also uses pastels), but also get to see the subject or scene in a different way and have a re-invigored appreciation of our natural world. His empathy with the subjects that inspire him, lived out through an apparent ease to manipulate his chosen medium to produce work that is instantly recognisable as his own, is a memorable mix. So, don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a collection of work by a remarkable painter. (www.anthonygibbs-art.com)
PLEASE NOTE DATES ARE FOR ONLINE ACCESS. EXHIBITION CAN BE VIEWED THURSDAY – SUNDAY 10am – 4pm. Given that Nature in Art has no guaranteed or ongoing public or private funding, the Covid pandemic has been a particularly difficult period for the museum. So this is a selection of original paintings, drawings, original prints and some 3D items that have been donated to the Trust to raise funds during these challenging times. Each has a minimum reserve price and bids will be invited at or above that amount throughout the exhibition period. Bids can be made at the museum (all the items will be on show or available to view) or on line. The highest bids at the close of the exhibition, 4pm on 31st August, will be successful. The are also a number of books, including editions signed by the likes of HRH Prince Philip, Peter Scott and David Bellamy.
TO SEE THE ONLINE GALLERY AND AUCTION SITE CLICK HERE
Legacy of Love is a collection of original works – paintings, prints, photography and sculpture, almost all of which will be for sale – by artists that feature in a new coffee-table book, funded through Kickstarter, that is being launched on September 10th and 11th at Nature in Art. The exhibition includes art and photography by some of the best known wildlife artists and photographers. With 48 chapters written by famous actors, artists, photographers and charity founders, the words and images in the book are all about celebrating animals. It has a foreword by Virginia McKenna OBE. Get a glimpse of the book and some of the artwork here: www.legacyoflovebook.org
Almost all the artists and photographers will have work in the exhibition, including:
Nick Mackman, Robert Gillmor MBE, Chris Rose, Derek Robertson, Darren Rees, Richard Symonds, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Guy Combes, Gary Hodges, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Nick Dyer, George Logan, Julie Askew, Heather Irvine, Martin Avening, Suzie Marsh and Dave Currey
See Chris Rose creating one of the paintings in this exhibition on our video page.
Do join us for one of the book launch evenings (Limited numbers for covid safety)
REFLECTIONS ON NATURE
An exhibition by members of the Braid Society
Following fascinating exhibitions over the years focusing on textile techniques and crafts, from quilting to lace, crochet to embroidery, this display highlights another discipline, braiding. All the work on show is by members of The Braid Society which was founded in 1993 to promote the practice and education of making braids and narrow bands. Most exhibits have been made by UK members, but some have come from abroad, including Japan, Israel and the USA.
Throughout history people have needed ‘narrow wares’ for practical purposes such as ties for clothing and straps for possessions. This expanded into them being used as decorations, embellishments and, latterly, for art pieces. Various techniques developed in different parts of the world (sometimes using specific pieces of equipment) and include Japanese Braiding (Kumihimo), Ply Split Braiding, Peruvian Braiding, Inkle and Tablet Weaving, Cord Making, Loop Braiding, Luceting, Sprang and other finger manipulated weaving.
This, the Society’s biennial exhibition (delayed by Covid), showcases recent members’ work made using diverse methods and yarns as they have ‘reflected on nature’. On some days, makers will demonstrate amongst their exhibits.
Plus see makers at work on Oct 8th and 13th (11am-3pm), Saturday 16th (11am-1pm), Wednesday 20th (11am-2.30pm) and Thursday 21st (2pm – 4pm).
On October 24th there will be an opportunity to try different braiding techniques. See art courses