Celebrated Yorkshire artist picks best of British wildlife
The exhibition by wildlife artist Robert Fuller will run from November 9 until December 1 at The Robert E Fuller Gallery in Thixendale, North Yorkshire.
“I’m celebrating the very best of British wildlife with an exhibition of paintings, prints, photographs, and short films of wildlife from around the UK,’’ Mr Fuller said.
“Red stags spotted in Scotland, squirrels seen in Wales, and kestrels, badgers, and owls observed in my own garden in Yorkshire are among the paintings of natural treasures on show.
“I’ve painted all my favourite animals and I’ll be asking you to choose which creature you like best.
“People travel abroad to watch wildlife and yet we have stunning animals right here in Britain,” Mr Fuller said. “This exhibition celebrates the wildlife hidden in the gardens, fields and hedgerows of our countryside and encourages visitors to think about how this natural heritage should be valued.”
“I’m also exhibiting my photographs, films, and live video feeds from cameras hidden inside animal nests nearby. If you plan a visit, expect something a bit like touring the set of BBC Springwatch, only with a display of paintings and prints to enjoy as well.’’
The artist spends months photographing and filming creatures in their natural habitat before returning to his studio to paint them. His latest collection includes red stags watched in Scotland, otters and red squirrels photographed on the west coast, puffins and peregrines spotted in Yorkshire, and owls and garden birds filmed and photographed in the artist’s own garden.
The resulting artwork is a startlingly lifelike collection of portrait-styled paintings that celebrate Britain’s hidden wildlife heritage.
“I like my paintings to be as realistic as possible in order to do each creature justice,” Mr Fuller said. “I paint every feather, every hair.’’
The exhibition will also include the best of Mr Fuller’s photographic and film studies and visitors will be able to see live footage of owls, kestrels, stoats and weasels relayed into the gallery from the surveillance cameras hidden in the artist's garden.
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to see how Mr Fuller puts his artworks together.
“Visitors will learn how I translate my photographs and video into artwork,’’ he said.
“I paint directly from my photographs and then, to get the right composition, cut up my photographs and arrange the cut-outs onto a board until I am happy with a scene.’’
Mr Fuller is an ambassador for British wildlife and has featured on TV shows including BBC Springwatch and BBC Countryfile.
He is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines including BBC Wildlife Magazine and BBC Countryfile Magazine.
Mr Fuller’s gallery is located on the outskirts of the traditional village of Thixendale on the Yorkshire Wolds.
The exhibition is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible and has accessible facilities.
For more information go to www.robertefuller.com