Wild at Heart

In a time of continuing global uncertainty, our appreciation and need to assert support for the natural world remains ever-growing. In this week’s reflection, I will address the work of wildlife artists Adam Binder, Eben Rautenbach, Penny Timmis, Stephen Page and Tara Winona, and their staggering ability to captivate their audiences through their endearing portrayals of wildlife they depict.

ADAM BINDER

Working in Bronze, Adam Binder’s sculptures capture the nature of their models’ personalities, with the smooth surfaces beckoning onlookers to have a stroke. The curled position of both Beaver and Hedgehog entice the viewer, encouraging them to envelop the two sculptures in their grasp. The small size of both Beaver (13 x 11 x 18 cm) and Hedgehog (12 x 10 x 10 cm) make them ever more appealing to their audiences, speaking to our inherent parental instincts to nurture and protect. It is exactly this that we seek to do for the two sculptures. 

In a similar way, Binder’s Wren (15 x 16 x 13 cm), is captured in its natural nesting habitat, with twigs entwined amongst one another. The wren is depicted in the early stages of its nest construction, with the fragility of both the habitat, and the bird being prevalent. Here we are exposed to what should be, an enclosed world. By allowing us to enter this intimate setting, we are gaining uncharted access into their habitual tendencies, allowing us to gain greater appreciation for the hard work they endure. The casting gaze of the wren encourages us to assume responsibility for it, beckoning us to take the sculpture home and give it the shelter it needs.

  Wren

   Beaver and Hedgehog

EBEN RAUTENBACH

Pyrography artist Eben Rautenbach emblazons intricate animal portraits and landscapes onto found wood. The combination of upcycling and pyrography, allow for a complete focus on the raw nature of the work, both in terms of subject and material. 

After settling into a home in the Scottish borders, South African born Rautenbach  fell in love with the native wildlife.  As an ex graffiti artist he learnt that the perfect art blends in culturally and visually within its surroundings while still making a statement. The rawness and organic feel of pyrography (captured his attention and allowed him to express his love for the use of natural elements.

In his work Grow Wise, Grow Lichen, Rautenbach has freehandedly burnt into the wood to create a delicate yet mesmerising, portrait of an owl. The minimal marks burnt into the wood are symptomatic of the delicacy of the owl’s feathers, whilst the rugged tuft at the top of the head allows the lichen to grow amongst it. The most significant aspect of the owl is the eye, where the reflection of another bird lays within it.

                               Girls Allowed                                                                                                                                                                                              Proud Man 

PENNY TIMMIS

Working in ink, crayon and watercolour Penny Timmis’ works are vibrant and energetic, commanding the rooms in which they sit. Timmis’ continuous choice of a bold colour palette ensures that each work does not go unnoticed, with small quirky additions of free lines adding to the joviality of the works. ‘Girls Allowed’ is comical in its depiction, representing what seems to be a flamboyance of flamingos gossiping amongst themselves. The title ‘Girls Allowed’, only adds to this analysis, suggesting they are caricatures of the international girl band, Girls Aloud.

‘Proud Man’ by Penny Timmis is again very vivacious in its portrayal of a peacock fanning its feathers in an attempt to woo females into mating. The stern look on the male peacock’s face, along with the abundance of protruding feathers is indicative of the title of the work, ‘Proud Man’. This suggests he has been successful in procuring one, or several mates. The electric beauty of the bird has been so perfectly captured through the varied colour palette incorporated within the tail.

       Dogstar                                                                                                              C@II  

STEPHEN PAGE

Stephen Page’s patinated bronze sculptures pay particular attention to the pure form of the animals, much like that of ancient cave paintings. Through ancient associations, Page is reminding the viewer of the long ancestry of these  animals and the fundamental part they play in the process of evolution. The bright colours of the sculptures, achieved through hand patination of the bronze, like Penny Timmis’ work, are immediately eye catching for the onlooker, encouraging them to move closer.

His work encompasses domestic animals such as the Dog and Cat pictured right, and also a range of other more exotic creatures.

Loraine

TARA WINONA

Born in Sydney, Australia, Tara Winona’s prints and original canvases are representative of the unwavering beauty of the natural world. Winona’s animal works are portrait-like in their style, which allows for a rapport to be developed between sitter and onlooker. The most hypnotic feature of each work is the eyes where Winona successfully manages to capture the experiences and toils of the animals’ condition.

Painted on canvas, Winona’s Loraine is indicative of this. The considerably large antlers of the deer resemble the determination and fight, whilst the stare prohibits the viewer from looking away. The introduction of salt onto the wet canvas, changes the pigmentation in areas giving the effect of fading away. Although the antlers are poised for battle, their gradual disappearance into the background is suggestive of the gradual disappearance of animals as a whole, where human impact is having considerable effect upon the natural world.

Likewise Winona’s Solace again addresses the sheer beauty of the natural world. In this work, the owl is depicted in its habitual nocturnal setting due to the dark background, and the shining moon. The noun ‘solace’ meaning, comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness suggests a far deeper meaning to the canvas. Owls are typically associated with wisdom, and the suggestion that the owl is a form of consolation for the viewer, projects a very tranquil air onto the canvas. This is again reinforced by the nocturnal nature of the work. Whilst the owl itself may not be verging on extinction, it must be remembered that other animals are threatened with this, and thus the canvas talks to us about the wider climate crisis being faced. The deep set eyes of the owl make the image very monopolising on your gaze. As such, the canvas talks specifically to each one of us, encouraging us to take more considerable action.

      Solace

Whilst depicting animals within their works, each artist has also striven further to incorporate personalities that address a truth to their viewer. Each work instinctively draws you in, whether due to bold colour palettes or strong representations. When faced with a closer look at the work, we are forced to consider the human implications upon the natural world, and the alarming rate at which these are coming to fruition. Whilst we have seen an exceedingly turbulent year in many respects, an overarching message has been projected from credible sources including Sir David Attenborough. The pandemic has spread far and wide, a consequence of the impending fate of our planet, and it is works such as these that bring the reality home, making us appreciate the raw and simplistic beauty of our world