Barnes Artists and Local Photographers were so delighted to discover the abundance of natural beauty on their doorstep during lockdown, they decided to make it the focus of their summer show. 

The Barnes Common Artshow 2021 was an exhibition of affordable artwork by Barnes Artists and local Photographers who were inspired by the beautiful natural flora, fauna and wildlife on our doorstep. All carefully and expertly managed by the Friends of Barnes Common team. The Artshow was been organised by Barnes Artists in partnership with the Putney and Barnes group of the London Independent Photographers. The show was open to the public from 27th July to 4th August 2021 at St Mary’s Church, Barnes.

Throughout the spring and early summer months, over two lockdowns, Barnes Artists and photographers were quietly observing and discovering the rare butterflies, and wild species of plant life that flourished from a unique and precious landscape that has been free of industrial and agricultural pesticides and fertilisers for centuries. There are now over 30 species of butterflies recorded visiting the native meadows, orchards, acid grasslands and woodlands that make up the greater area of Barnes Common.

Early morning starts and late afternoons provided exquisite light for photographers and plein-air landscape painters. Individual trees, insects and rare dragonflies were the subject for printers, abstract painters, sculptors, and ceramicists.

Co-founder of Barnes Artists, David Pearce said “we are so incredibly lucky to have so much natural beauty on our doorstep and it seemed obvious for Barnes Artists to focus on it for their summer show. It has been a fascinating journey discovering and uncovering the wildlife of Barnes Common with the expert guidance of Friends of Barnes Common”.

All artwork was for sale and a percentage of sales from the show went to both Friends of Barnes Common and St Mary’s Church, Barnes.