Sketch for Survival 2021: Wildlife Shortlist
Congratulations to all the selected artists.
Jessica R MacKenzie, Arizona, USA
Of the Old World
"The Egyptian Vulture is the smallest of all vultures found in Africa, Europe, and Asia. This vulture has a rare trait for using tools, like rocks, to penetrate eggshells. Worshipped by ancient Egyptians for their scavenging ways (disease control), their population is declining rapidly due to agricultural & lead poisoning, electrocution, as well as loss of habitat and food sources. Vultures are worthy, beautiful, and necessary contributors towards a healthy planet Earth. "
The judges said: "A striking composition of an unusual bird with a great limited colour palette."Julie Eyett, Lincoln, UK
Hazel Dormouse
"I have illustrated the charming little Hazel Dormouse in a nest woven into wild brambles and honeysuckle bark. I was inspired by the release by a local wildlife charity of captive bred dormice into Lincolnshire woodland. Dormice are now vunerable to extinction in England and extinct in 17 counties mainly due to the loss of habitat, coppiced woodland, hedgerow and scrub."
The judges said: "The symmetry of the foliage surrounding the sleeping dormouse really shows hibernation perfectly. Plus the colours enhance this feeling of cosiness. It has been executed with sensitivity and great imagination."Linda Pitcher, Hereford, UK
Tender Love
"I wanted to portray the baby Gorilla's expression of tender love, capturing the vunerability and fine balance between life and death and their reliance on all to survive. "
The judges said: "So simple, so effective, so full of emotion."Louise Allen, Wakefield, UK
Polar Bear Blues
"I have chosen to depict Ursus Maritimus, the polar bear, swimming under the polar ice. I was inspired by the four beautiful polar bears at Yorkshire Wildlife Park's conservation project. I would love to see these creatures thriving in their natural habitat one day."
The judges said: "What a great atmospheric etching... it feels so cold with the use of just blue and white."Love Grosmane, Birmingham, UK
Gold-headed Lion Tamarin
"This is my third year of participation but this year I had a relatively quick time choosing an animal. Lions are my favourite but they are too popular. However, I remembered seeing an endangered Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin before. They are known to be charismatic creatures whose mane is impressive and reminds me of a lion! Once down to 150 individuals in the wild (according to IUCN), intensive conservation efforts pulled it back to endangered status. The population has since recovered to about 3200 in the wilds of Brazil (the total number of mature individuals would be approximately 1,400). The problem is that their habitat is divided into four (not connected in between) pieces which are too small to support a healthy tamarin population."
The judges said: "Simple, superb and sensitively created."Lyn Bartolo, Cairns, Australia
Hope for Tomorrow
"A ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) was chosen for the subject of this piece. I was immediately drawn to the jovial and vocal nature of the endangered primate. I see a cry for help in their distinctly vivid yellow eyes as their habitat continues to shrink at an alarming rate. The purpose of this artwork is to make the observer think about the animal; about their sentience and about their future."
The judges said: "What a fantastic use of negative space to show the character and shagginess of the lemur... you can 'feel' both."Milly Mackenzie, Birmingham, UK
Sleeping Lions
"The sleeping lions in this painting are relaxed and contented, basking in the warm day. However, lions are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The blank portion of the wood panel represents the continuing loss of habitats by expanding human populations."
The judges said: "A beautiful use of the grain of the wood that enhances this calm scene of sleeping lionesses. Additionally the golden colour compliments the warm blue to perfection."Richard Martin, Manchester, UK
Borneo
"I have chosen the Orangutan. The inspiration has stemmed from watching multiple documentaries about endangered animals. I was hoping that drawing one of these beautiful creatures could contribute to trying to help them in their battle against palm oil plantations, a leading contributer to their endangered title."
The judges said: "This is a beautiful and compelling portrait of a male orangutan. Richard has really gone to town with the patterns within the beast. I love the unusual cropping here."Sabrina Karthun Strijbos, Germany
Manta Ray of Hope
"I chose Manta Rays because the issue of overfishing in our oceans has been with me since I was a teenager and hasn't changed much so far. That's why I want to support projects that address this issue and continue to hope that something will finally change on an international level."
The judges said: "This is just like watching mantas feeding, as they circle and somersault around to get as much plankton as possible. Love the choice of colours and lighting."Sarah Lake, London, UK
Achilles
"Achilles is 6 sheets of paper all hand cut. He is a Sumatran tiger who lives at an animal park nearby. He mesmerises me every time I see him."
The judges said: "This paper cut has such a presence... amazing given it is created with just bits of paper... so much skill was involved and a lot of heart to make it shine like this."Teresa Rogers, Norwich, UK
Long-tailed Ducks at Tromso
"I visited Norway in 2018 and was thrilled to see long-tailed ducks in Tromso harbour, swimming through the reflections of a red-hulled boat. Though widespread, this bird is now categorised as globally vulnerable following a steep population decline. In common with many arctic species, climate change is diminishing the range of the long-tailed duck, impacting on its breeding cycles and exposing its habitats to increasing human activity."
The judges said: "A dynamic painting filled with colour and wild patterns."Natasha van Netten, Victoria, Canada
Eubalaena Glacialis
"This drawing features the North Atlantic Right Whale. This cetacean was targeted by commercial whaling and brought near extinction in the early 1900s. Considered the 'right' whale to hunt, this species offered a high yield of recourses and was easy to catch. I created this drawing using ink and seawater incorporating the whales physical environment into the paper fibres. Salt crystals formed where the seawater evaporated, leaving a reminder of the natural processes of nature. "
The judges said: "An effective pen and ink drawing of a whale against a wild watercolour backdrop."
