SWLA 60th Anniversary Exhibition (and Carving Demo)

This month (November) is the Society of Wildlife Artists annual exhibition at the Mall galleries in London “The Natural Eye”.

This year is quite a special one as it is the 60^th anniversary of the SWLA (of which I am a member). As it is a special one this year we are organising various events during the exhibition and as part of which, I shall be holding a wood carving demonstration at the gallery on the afternoon of the 6^th November (from 2pm until 4pm). For the full events programme and to preview the exhibition, follow this link. “The Natural Eye” exhibition runs from the 2^nd November until the 11^th November, booking is not required, entry is £5, Free for Friends of Mall Galleries, SWLA Friends and under 25s. Concessions are available. But if you would like to attend the private view on 1^st November for free, then please drop me an email and I can send you an e-invite that admits two people along with full details (better hurry on that one).

This year, apart from demonstrating, I have two sculptures on display at the exhibition; a bust of a Black Rhino along with a bust of an African elephant (pictured here).

Both of these sculptures have been carved from lime wood and I have selectively stained them with water based inks. The colour and texture of the elephant’s skin is an important feature, so I spent some time experimenting with different finishes.  I loved the subtle and random effect that these inks achieved. I also used some unusual tools in more unorthodox ways to achieve a looser and more natural effect.  It must be said, I am very pleased with the final piece.

The African Bush Elephant is an iconic species and as the largest land mammal holds a special place in many of our hearts.  African Elephants live in matriarchal herds, and if healthy and safe can live to around 60 years old.  I have been lucky enough to have seen many of these wonderful animals in the wild, and watching them is always fascinating and a privilege.

Black rhinos are critically endangered. In the 1900s there were probably several hundred thousand living in Africa, In the 1960s the numbers had decreased to around 70000 and by the early 1990s the number had dipped below 2,500 – numbers are currently estimated at around 6000.  Black Rhinos are also known as hook lipped rhinos, which seems a much more accurate name.  Their top lip is a prehensile appendage which they use to browse trees and bushes.  White rhinos (the name, I believe, is derived from “wide lipped”) have flat lips which are more suitable for grazing the grasslands. Three species of black rhino are extinct including the Western Black Rhino which was declared extinct in 2011.

Black rhinos have a reputation of being more aggressive than white rhinos, and when we were lucky enough to suddenly come across a black rhino (hidden among some trees) when on a walking safari in SA, it must be said that the guide was noticeably apprehensive and backed us off very quickly and quietly to quite a distance.