Barnes Artists follow in the footsteps of Sir Peter Scott at WWT London Wetland Centre.
Sir Peter Scott CH, CBE, DSC, the celebrated wildlife artist, is elegantly rendered with his sketch book in hand in an iconic statue rising out of the lake outside the entrance of WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes. A local group of artists have been greatly inspired by the natural beauty of this 105 acre wildlife area and since March this year there has been a succession of Barnes Artists in residence painting, sketching and taking photographs for an exhibition in the fabulous gallery space above the shop in October. Senior residents with dementia have also visited with a local art group Picassos in the Park and their work will be exhibited in the same exhibition. This is the first time two local art groups have been invited to work at WWT London Wetland Centre as an initiative to capture the stunning award-winning nature reserve – London’s first large-scale, man-made, inner city wetland reserve and one of the 21st Century’s greatest urban conservation projects that provides a safe haven for a wide range of wildlife and deliver a slice of the great British Countryside to the heart of our concrete capital city.
Matthew Thorley, Visitor Experience Manager says ‘From the moment I first met with Barnes Artists I could sense that this would be a fantastic collaboration and the work in progress I have been able to see throughout the Summer gives me a great sense of excitement for the exhibition and pride for what an amazing site our teams continue to deliver all year round. The exhibition will showcase the biodiversity of the site as well as the peaceful haven that it acts as for so many of our visitors.’
Barnes Artists are a local group of talented, professional, semi professional and prize wining painters, printers, photographers and sculptors and performance artists. This will be their 6th local show this year.
Barnes Artists follow a long tradition of artists living and working in Barnes starting with J.M.W. Turner who sketched the river Thames running opposite the picturesque Terrace and Barnes Bridge. Since then the pastoral delights of Barnes pond and the Common beyond have been a popular subject with many recognised artists. For more information see the History of Art in Barnes page on the website.
Katie James from Barnes Artists says ‘it has been a delight and inspiration to work quietly studying the birds, some of whom stand still and pose very obligingly, with the sound of the wind blowing softly in the long wild grasses and flowers. The Wetland Centre is a wonderful place for artists to work’.
The exhibition continues until the 31st January 2020.