The exhibition celebrates the visit of Artists for Nature
Foundation (ANF) an international group that aims to raise
awareness of endangered landscapes and promote important
conservation projects through art to the Great Fen Project area
during 2004 and 2005.
In the first venture of its kind in the UK,
artists came from all over the world to visit the Great Fen and
produced a rich collection of paintings, drawings, prints and
sculptures depicting the local wildlife and communities.
Inspired by the potential of lowland England's
most ambitious habitat restoration effort, the Great Fen Project,
the artists produced work that highlights the riches that exist in
the remnants of fenland. The artwork includes field sketches
of birds and other animals, detailed botanical and entomological
studies, landscapes that are instantly recognizable and landscapes
that are almost abstract, sculptures using scrap metal found in the
area, and transient paintings of dragonflies on bog oaks dug from
peat. Featured artists include Andrea Rich (USA), Carry
Akroyd (UK) and Vadim Gorbatov (Russia), along with many
others.
'Artists for Nature Foundation has recognised
that artists can make a significant contribution to the
conservation of nature by conveying the feeling and atmosphere of a
scene in a way that is quite unique... An eloquent testimony to the
concern of artists for the future of the natural world.'
- HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
The paintings are on sale, with a percentage
of the sale price going directly to the Great Fen Project.
The artwork is also featured in a new book,
published in August 2006 The Great Fen: Artists for Nature in
England. The book was reviewed in The Guardian in November
2006 as a strong contender for "the best natural history book of
the year". The book is priced at £35, with a percentage going
directly to the Great Fen Project. This book is available by
mail order from the Wildlife Trust on 01954 713500.
The Great Fen Project, one of Europe's most
important conservation initiatives, will restore 3,700 hectares of
wetland habitat between Peterborough and Huntingdon by
connecting Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen National Nature
Reserves. This project aims not only to protect the existing
wildlife and enhance the habitats, but will provide a massive
greenspace for people, with a wealth of possibilities for
recreation, education and social and economic regeneration.
The Great Fen Project received royal approval
earlier this week when HRH The Prince of Wales visited Woodwalton
Fen to learn about the Project. Actor, author and comedian,
Stephen Fry, is also President of the Great Fen Project.
The Great Fen Project is a partnership between
the Environment Agency, Huntingdonshire District Council, Natural
England and the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
N
orthamptonshire and Peterborough.
For more information on The Great Fen Project
please the visit http://www.greatfen.org.uk/ or
call Chris Gerrard, Project Manager, on 01954 713500.
For more information on Artists for Nature
Foundation please visit http://www.anf-yb.nl/; telephone +31
645 681 253 (765 fax) or email: y.brouwers@planet.nl.
Many of Peterborough’s most popular cultural and sporting
facilities are part of Vivacity, an independent,
not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.
Find out more about
the trust on the Vivacity website.