Close to Home: the Art of the SWLA during Lockdown
During these difficult times artists have been inspired by nature very close to their homes. Many of our artists already spend hours watching and drawing wildlife in their local area but the restrictions of lockdown has made that connection to local nature even stronger.
Julia Manning spent the summer studying and drawing moths which she found in her garden-the resulting woodblock prints are gorgeous celebrations of the species she encountered.
Wynona Legg has been wonderfully resourceful in order to create an exotic collection of work. Wynona used live webcams which are set up around the world at nature reserves and study centres to draw from life, albeit through a computer screen. Her drawings of baboons and warthogs are joyful and full of energy.
Garden birds proved inspiring for Carry Akroyd, Esther Tyson, Kim Atkinson and Richard Jarvis (details click on image for full picture)
Inevitably garden birds have proved a useful subject and many of our artist have created lovely works from seeing these familiar visitors.
Nick Derry, based in France, found the very strict 1km zone in which he was allowed to walk has restricted his subject choices, so it has forced him to look at more common birds such as wood pigeons and crows.
International artists Nick Derry, Ben Woodhams, Marco Brodde and Barry Van Dusen (details click on image for full view)
Other international artists included in the show are Ben Woodhams and Marco Brodde both based in Denmark and Barry Van Dusen who is across the Atlantic in the US.
Artworks by Richard Allen, Robert Greenhalf, Jane Smith, Andrew Stock, Chris Wallbank and Darren Rees (details click on image for full view)
Many of the SWLA artists live in very beautiful areas and have access to wild spaces on their doorsteps. Estuaries and wetlands are great for birds and Richard Allen, Robert Greenhalf and Andrew Stock are lucky to have them very close to their homes. Scottish based artists Jane Smith and Darren Rees didn’t have to look far for inspiration and Chris Wallbank spent lockdown in rural Wales.
There are many more works and a whole range of subjects and approaches for sale from members of the SWLA, including bronze sculptures by Nick Bibby, ceramics by Simon Griffiths and Jill Moger and a welded found object piece by Harriet Mead. Go here to view and buy from the exhibition.
