Art Observing Nature
…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough? Vincent Van Gogh Here’s a small collection of beautiful artworks inspired by each artist’s observations of the natural world around us.
Plett whale sculpture
posted in: Animals, Artwork feature, Community, Great initiatives, Public sculpture, Upcycling & Waste Art |
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A stunning new steel whale sculpture on Central beach in Plettenberg Bay works towards increased public awareness of the plastic pollution and marine litter problems we face. This project forms part of Nature Valley Trust’s TMF small grants programme and … Continued
Babiana villosula
Chris Lochner385 x 575 mmWatercolour on ArchesArchival framing Babiana villosula, a species of bobbejaantjie, has lost 80% of it’s habitat due to urban growth and agriculture, and now occurs only in scattered populations in the Cape region. They can still … Continued
Hippocampus capensis
Knysna SeahorseKnysna-seeperdjieiHashe Yolwandle Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ActinopterygiiOrder: SyngnathiformesFamily: SyngnathidaeHippocampus capensis Boulenger 1900 Seahorses are found in shallow seas from Tasmania to the United Kingdom, and they feature in myths and legends from around the world (think of how they’re usually … Continued
Haematopus moquini
African black oystercatcher – Near-threatened The African Black Oystercatcher is one of the rarest oystercatchers in the world and is found only on the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. Because they nest in areas that are popular with man … Continued
Bunolagus monticularis
Riverine rabbit / Oewerkonyn / bushman rabbit One of the most endangered mammals in the world, with only around 500 living adults, and 1500 overall with an extremely limited distribution area, found only in the central and southern regions of the … Continued
Sandbat
Ingrid Coerlin Photographic Print FRAMED To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour ~ William Blake
StateoftheArt Gallery Award finalist Monique Day-Wilde’s art
Artist Statement The building of a culture is essentially about growth – the layering of traditions and narratives and the connections made. Many symbols, personal to me, are also relevant in the broader South African context. With land being a … Continued
StateoftheArt Gallery Award finalist Balekane Legoabe’s art
Artist Statement: The fact that humans can simultaneously experience an array ofoverlapping emotions is something that has always fascinated me.As people, we have the ability to occupy more than one emotional state at a time, which means that our feelings … Continued
Land Art by Buse Mutan
Buse Mutan was born on March 11 th , 1982 in Izmir. She graduated from Dokuz Eylul University, Buca Faculty of Education, Department of Fine Arts Education in 2018. The same year, she started studying for a Master’s degree in Sculpture … Continued
New species a week by Giulia De Amicis
” Infographics and illustrations about animal species and curiosities from the natural world. The project was initially thought and proposed as a content dedicated to a weekly science column for magazines and newspapers. Presenting endangered, unique or peculiar species as well as comparing pattern behaviour between animals, the … Continued
Write with New York City Trees
“Katie Holten has created a New York City Tree Alphabet. Each letter of the Latin alphabet is assigned a drawing of a tree from the NYC Parks Department’s existing native and non-native trees, as well as species that are to be … Continued
An Ocean wish
Janet BotesInk and acrylic on wood The text roughly translates to “I wish for an ocean teeming with life, textures and flows with full power and beauty…” In 2003 Professor Brian Allanson’s research in the Knysna Estuary uncovered a species … Continued
Incredible woodcut prints by John Roome
Love at first sight – these are just SO beautiful to me. These prints by John Roome is available from StateoftheArt Gallery (whose newsletter is where I was introduced to his work!). His artist statement: “My work is grounded in … Continued
Artwork feature: ‘Destruction of Nature, Destruction of the Human being’ by Raheleh Minoosh Zomorodinia
Destruction of Nature, Destruction of the Human being. Raheleh Minoosh Zomorodinia. California, 2010 rahelehzomorodinia.com
‘Homo Algus’ by Sophie Prestigiacomo
These figures are modeled with mud and seaweed, with the algae drying within the elements. The colors, textures, and “skin” of the creatures change over time, along with the organic landscape they inhabit in the Séné Marsh Nature Reserve in … Continued
Satyrium hallackii subsp. hallackii – Chris Lochner
Chris Lochner475 x 765 mmWatercolour on ArchesArchival framing Satyrium hallackii subsp. hallackii, the striking Pink Satyr, has become extinct on the Cape Peninsula where it was once widespread. It now remains in only a few small populations along the coast, … Continued
Artwork feature: Life At The Bottom by Tiffany Miller Russell
One of the exquisite cut paper sculptures by Tiffany Miller Russell that celebrate the unique wonders of the natural world. Shop originals and prints: www.wildlifeinpaper.com or visit www.etsy.com/shop/WildlifeInPaper for her Etsy shop.
Murmurs of Earth at Art on Avenues, Somerset West
I am awed by the art shown at Art on Avenues, a new gallery in Somerset West. The works I enjoyed the most were artworks by Ronél de Jager and Marnus Havenga – I was at the exhibition due to … Continued
Interwoven by Diana Scherer
EXERCISES IN ROOTSYSTEM DOMESTICATION ‘In my work I explore the relationship man has with his natural environment and his desire to control nature. For the past few years my fascination has mainly been focused on the dynamics of belowground plant parts. I’ve … Continued
Skull landscapes by Retha Buitendach
Have a look at these incredible, detailed drawings of landscapes in the shape of animal skulls by Retha Buitendach. Exhibited as part of EARTHBORN at Trent Gallery Pretoria in August 2014.
Take 10 Melon Seeds by Amanda J Clayton
The publication Textile Artist has conducted an interview with artist Amanda J Clayton whose work are explorations, experiments and decisions with cloth and thread that is intimate and intensely personal. This interview gives insight into the artist’s work and inspiration, … Continued
Subsequent Terrains by Firat Erdim
Subsequent Terrains emerged from observations of the many-layered landscape and varied history of the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. The title refers to the geological sense of the term “subsequent,” which describes streams shaped by the relative hardness or softness of their … Continued
Mysterium Fascinans
Mysterium Fascinans Kali van der Merwearchival inks on cotton rag paper73 x 73cmEdition 1/9 + 2 AP The third flower in the background from large to small is the Thistle Sugarbush, Protea scolymocephala It is on the red list of … Continued
Artist feature: Aurora Robson
Aurora Robson is a multi-media artist known predominantly for her meditative work intercepting the plastic waste stream. Her practice is about shifting negative trajectories. Her work formally references recurring nightmares that she had as a child which she hybridizes with … Continued
Are you having a laugh? – Jane Pitchford
Are you having a laugh? Jane PitchfordPencil, Gouache & Acrylic Paint This illustration shows nine of the many South African flora and fauna that are unfortunately on the IUCN red list of endangered species. “Are you having a laugh?” Is … Continued
Ixia versicolor – Chris Lochner
Ixia versicolor Chris Lochner250 x 405 mmWatercolour on ArchesArchival framing Critically Endangered, the delicate Ixia versicolor is found at only two sites after urban expansion drastically reduced it’s native vegetation type, Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos, to only about 9% of it’s … Continued
Tattooed Whale, Tim Pitsiulak
Pitsiulak is best known for the extraordinary drawings that have made him one of the most sought-after contemporary Inuit artists. Pitsiulak divides his time between drawing and hunting. His respect for the wildlife in his region is evident in his … Continued
Artwork feature: Columbian Exchange III, Dornith Doherty
Source: WEADartists.org Columbian Exchange III, Dornith Doherty. Digital collage made from x-rays captured at the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (USA) and PlantBank (Australia)