The Society of Wildlife Artists

The Natural Eye exhibition has a wide range of sculptures in different materials on show from both members and non member artists. 

Bronzes are a traditional and highly valued way of creating sculpture. The process enables artists to create their original piece using soft materials such as clay or plaster, then through making a mould the work can be cast into bronze. It is a beautiful way of capturing marks and surface texture. The patination of the bronze then allows for colour to be added.

Nick Bibby is renowned for his beautifully accurate and skillfully observed bronzes. HIs attention to detail is clear to see in his Kingfisher piece. 

When sculpting his sculptures, Andrew Haslen has left expressive marks and texture in the surface which gives the bronzes life and energy. You can see his finger marks and trails of tool marks. Another artist who has decided to celebrate texture and abstract surface in their work is Fred Gordon. His Walking Tiger has slabs of solid areas with gaps to refer to the tiger’s markings. 

By contrast Stephen Page has chosen to have a beautifully smooth surface to his highly abstract sculptures. He has pared down his interpretation of a bison to create a tactile and elegant piece further enhanced by a beautiful patination.

Stephen Rew has made full use of the capacity to cast detail and delicacy in bronze. The fluidity and movement in his Octopus is beautifully done. 

Harriet Mead uses old tools and scrap to create her welded sculptures. The strength of the steel enables her to play with balance and create works with delicate poses.

Nick Mackman is one of the sculptors who uses ceramic to create her work. Nick spends a lot of time observing her subjects in the wild which is obvious when you see pieces such as the wild dog sculpture Hunter’s Stare. Her careful choice of glazes and oxides add depth and life to to the piece.

Simon Griffiths’ ceramics are also beautifully observed. HIs use of oxides on the textured surface is very good at suggesting feathers and fur. Simon is excellent in making use of found materials for bases. His little owls in the show this year are set on a large branch of stag’s horn oak to create a beautifully dynamic shape.

Anine Cockwell de Jong is a stone carver and has created sleeping bats for the exhibition. She has carved the piece out of black serpentine stone which is a perfect choice for the subject. The folded wings are captured beautifully.

The biggest sculpture on show is the wire piece by Celia Smith. Flight of Dunlin is nearly 2 metres wide and captures the shimmering impression of the flying waders against the light.

There are over thirty sculptures on show so it is well worth a visit or you can browse online.