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Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024: Jara by Sarah
Lake |
- announcement of
- the artwork winning the top prize
- the runner up
- plus all the category and other award winners
- comments on the Exhibition
- my photos of the exhibition - plus links to more images of the artwork - including all the Category Winners
- comments on pricing and sales
On Monday night, I attended a very impressive Private View for the Wildlife
Artist of the Year Exhibition where the awards for each category and
finally the winner of the Wildlife Artist of the Year were announced.
You can also review the artworks in the exhibition online at the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 Online Exhibition on the DSWF website.
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Towards the end of the Private View last night, when numbers had reduced enough to get a good view of the artwork in the gallery |
Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024
Since its inception in 2008, DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year has attracted more than 17,500 entries and through entry fees, exhibition sales, and sponsorships, has raised nearly £2 million for wildlife causes.The Wildife Artist of the Year 2024 is Sarah Lake.
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Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 - Sarah Lake Artwork: "Jara" Papercut 77 x 80cm SOLD (£1,800) |
Sarah Lake is a very impressive wildlife artist from Kent with a unique approach to
creating her art. All her artworks are created by cutting paper with a
surgical blade and layering to create the shapes and tonal values of an
animal or bird. Her award winninf artwork is the picture of an elephant's
trunk - with the end curled round. This is what it looks like close up.
Last night, she was won the Wildlife Artist of the Year Award and sold all
her artwork in the show (two proper artworks and two postcards) and I
think this prize has just raised the profile of her artwork and her career
- and her medium of choice.
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| A macro view of the elephant's trunk created as a papercut artwork by Sarakh Lake |
Last year she won the Wings Category with a picture of a pelican - and
I commented at the time
that I thought it was the best artwork in the show
Her work is based on photographs which she analyses to extract the
different tonal values. She explains her practice on her website.
It's been her practice in the past to donate most of her art for auctions which raise funds for wildlife conservation.
Her £10,000 award is split between a £5,000 cash prize and a £5,000 donation to a conservation charity / project of her choice.
The Runner Up
The runner up was a sculpture called "Guardian of the Forest" by Aki Mimura
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Wildlife Artist of the Tear: Runner Up
'Guardian of the Forest' (Abstract World) by Aki
Mimura
Limestone on Sandstone base
25 × 14 × 18 cm
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This was entered in the abstract category because it's a very stylised version of a bird - which I think is an owl.
Aki Mimura is a Japanese sculptor who used to be a professional watch designer for 11 years and now lives in Italy and works in sculpture.
I continue with the winners of the various categories below
Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition 2024
DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 has attracted entries from exceptionally talented amateur and professional artists all over the world.
This year the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is celebrating its
40th anniversary - and displayed a film last night which indicates the work
it has been doing
The Judges for the Awards in 2024 were made up of
Her website is https://www.maxinesheaffer.com/
- conservationist: Melanie Shepherd, Chair of the DSWF Board of Trustees (and former CEO of the Foundation)
- artists: Hazel Soan and Gary Hodges,
- artists: Mandy Shepherd and Emily Lamb (David Shepherd's grandaughters)
- wildlife photographer: William Fortescue
- gallery owner: Simon Trapnell (founder of Nature in Art)
- interior designers: Wendy Feess.
- PR and advertising experts: Karrie Goldberg (Founder of The Kagency and Outernet)
The Awards Ceremony was livestreamed on YouTube and can be seen in this video. Apparently the set-up only took a couple of hours. I though it was a wonderful way of engaging with the international community who are all very enthusiastic about this competition - and send lots of entries!
You can also see my Facebook album of photos of
- the winner AND all the category winners
- lots of general views of the exhibition - and the rest of the artworks (in PV mode)!!
Category Winners
All the quotations are extracts from how DSWF describe the purpose and scope of each category.
I'd suggest those aspiring to enter in future take not that not one single category winner conforms to what I might call "same old same old" i.e. the very conventional images of wildlife that you'd be hard out to identify the artist who has done it. These are much more individual and unique and at the same time
I'd suggest those aspiring to enter in future take not that not one single category winner conforms to what I might call "same old same old" i.e. the very conventional images of wildlife that you'd be hard out to identify the artist who has done it. These are much more individual and unique and at the same time
One characteristic which stands out for me is how artists choose to use unusual media or approaches to making art when developing their artwork.
Abstract World
Abstract World enables artists who express themselves non-figuratively to capture the beauty and fragility of our world and its wildlife, stimulating our imaginations with thought-provoking works. The abstract process opens a door for pure and raw displays of feeling and freedom, enabling an entirely new dynamism to become a centric part of the competition.
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| CATEGORY WINNER: ABSTRACT WORKS "Broken Home" by Maxine Sheaffer (Acrylic on Glass 58 x 47cm) |
Animal Behaviour
Accurately interpreting and recording animal behaviour is key to gaining a stronger understanding of species-level conservation issues. And capturing animal behaviour in art enables us to gain a new level of insight and understanding into their worlds...... The Animal Behaviour Category is a window into the wild world and the challenges it faces – from the rawest needs to feed and mate, to intricate interactions that reflect intelligence and emotion.
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| CATEGORY WINNER: ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR "Etheral Stalker" by Sophie Niemann (Embroidering on paper 32 x 72cm) |
Earth's Wild Beauty
There are many serious challenges to overcome and the threat to wildlife has never been greater. Yet, we can find hope in Earth’s wild beauty – an active reminder of what we’re working so hard to protect.
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CATEGORY WINNER: EARTH'S WILD BEAUTY "Burning Within" by Emma Price (Oil on Canvas 83 x 83cm) |
Environmental Artivism
The Environmental Artivism category challenges artists and audiences to visualise the starkest and most uncomfortable truths about human interactions with wildlife, inviting honest discussion by bringing these issues to the forefront of artistic interpretation. WAY website
"Environmental Artivism" is the term used by wildlife artists to indicate artworks which are not just about the wildlife. They reflect the challenges to habitat and wellbeing created by humans that need to be highlighted. Many of these are ones that conservation projects seek to address.
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CATEGORY WINNER: ENVIRONMENTAL ARTIVISM At What Cost by Martin Aveling Pastel Pencil on Paper; 96 x 69cm |
Martin Aveling
is an artivist who uses his artwork to promote wildlife conservation
and generate funds for its support. He wasn't there last night but the very big round
of applause that his award got demonstrated a lot of support for his
approach to wildlife art.
Also this work by Jonathan Truss - of an orangutan, which I really liked - was highly commended in this category
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HIGHLY COMMENDED (Environmental Artivism) "Paradise Lost" by Jonathan Truss. (oil on board 50x68cm) |
Facing Extinction
....nearly 700 vertebrate species vanishing forever since the 16th century. Today, thousands more stand on the precipice – facing extinction. Habitat destruction, the illegal wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, pollution, the climate crisis… species around the world face threats to their survival on multiple fronts. The Facing Extinction category invites artists to place focus on the world’s most vulnerable species and champion them. To give them a voice and a renewed place in a world growing smaller and less biodiverse by the day.
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CATEGORY WINNER: FACING EXTINCTION "Elephant" by Sadie Aucott (Wire on Canvas 64 x 74cm) |
Into the Blue
The world of water is home to some of the most intelligent, incredible, and mysterious creatures on the planet. And water shapes some of our most diverse and dramatic landscapes. The Into the Blue category invites artists to celebrate these dynamic landscapes and the species that call them home.
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CATEGORY WINNER: INTO THE BLUE "Fever Pitch" by Tom Middleton (Graphite on Paper 120cm x 85cm) |
A fever of rays sweeping the sea bed with clean untouched sand ahead.
Tom Middleton's wildlife art work has been selected in previous years and has previously also been highly commended in this competition.
You can also see how this artwork developed over time on his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/tommiddletonart
Wings
The Wings category celebrates the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife on our planet, including birds, bats, insects, reptiles, and more.
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| CATEGORY WINNER: WINGS "Wings" by Radka Kirby Tesaro (aka Radu Tesaro) (oil on canvas, 110 x 130cm) |
Youth Exclusive
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| CATEGORY WINNER: YOUTH EXCLUSIVE "Spoonbill" by Jeongyun Park - a young Korean artist. (Pastel on Conte Paper 57 x 50cm) |
"This striking depiction represents the loss of spoonbills and their natural habitat. Human developments near spoonbill habitats mean these beautiful birds are facing extreme decline in number. Through this painting the artist Jeongyun Park hopes to raise awareness for endangered wildlife worldwide"
Art of Survival Award
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| ART OF SURVIVAL WINNER "Octopus on a Cube" by Stephen Rew (Bronze 40x30x40cm 5kg Edition of 10) |
Stephen Rew is a former Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year - see my blog post from 2019
12th Wildlife Artist of the Year won by Stephen Rew You may well remember his large blue octopus stuck to a wall!The Newcomer Award - for a first time exhibitor
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| THE MICHELLE LEE HOWK 'FIRST TIME ENTRANTS AWARD' "Orangutan" by Leo Pacquelet (Wild Cherry Wood 28 x 21 21cm 2.2kg) |
The Watercolour Award
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| ELIZABETH HOSKING PRIZE FOR WATERCOLOUR "Time to Breathe" by Brett Blumenthal (Watercolour on Paper 44 x 54cm) |
Brett Blumenthal is a former architect and describes herself now as an artist, author, activist and entrepreneur.
Comments on the Exhibition
In terms of the exhibition, I've nothing much to add to my comments from last year
- very good variation of styles on display
- very good variation of wildlife
- the sculpture, as always, is excellent
- coloured artworks generally demonstrate excellence in use of media - although some were included which seemed lacking in technical excellence to me
- monochrome artworks were prevalent and very good
Here are just a few of the "view of the exhibition" photos I took. You can see more in my Facebook Album.
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In terms of presentation:
- the hang is generally very good.
- However, I would have had the overall winner in a different place and much higher on the wall and not dominated by the large piece above. IMO, it deserved that just for how good it was.
- the presentation and awards part of the ceremony was extremely well organised and well practiced. It was complemented by pictures on the big screens for every category winner - so we each knew which piece had won - and the name of the artist
- the audio visuals / livestreaming service last night were stunning (and I had a chat afterwards with the bloke who was operating how everything worked - who provides a very reasonably priced service)
For me, the framing of some of the artworks left something to be desired (bit too "wacky" for me and/or just plain old fashioned). I think maybe more/better guidance from the competition organisers would see artworks being presented which don't deter buyers because of the need to reframe for contemporary or even traditional tastes. Very neutral frames in black, grey, taupe or white tend to be favoured by most exhibitions in this gallery. Keep mounts very simple.
In terms of sales:
- the labels next to each picture are brilliant - the font size is large so easy to read and the price stands out in red so easy to see - and lots of people were buying
- I saw lots of red spots which kept multiplying as the evening wore on - helped no doubt by the excellent labelling. Plus very prompt application of special eye-catching labels for all the award winners.
- The organisers are certainly very good at getting huge fans of wildlife art with deep pockets to attend this PV and sponsor the prizes and buy art! There again, all I spoke to were huge enthusiasts for wildlife, wildlife art and this competition!
Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition 2025 - call for
entries
The DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year competition for 2025 opens for entries at 12 noon on 8 January 2025.
Key features are:
- The competition is open to both amateur and professional artists alike
- the organisers encourage anyone who has a passion for both art and wildlife to enter.
- If your artwork is sold, the 50% commission goes to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation to fund its conservation projects around the world.
More information in the future from the competition website https://davidshepherd.org/
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