General comment by Gary on this year’s competition and the shortlist to appear here somewhere ….
2024 Shortlist
Sketch for Survival 100 Artist of the Year
Comments provided by members of the Selection Panel: Gary Hodges, Sevina Yates, Alison Nicholls, Mark Adlington and Sophie Green
Look Up, Sarah Rhiannon
African Lioness, Oil
Abbott's Booby by David Lush
Abbott's Booby, Mixed Media
"There are very few artworks which make you imagine noise, but this bold composition full of simplified forms cleverly brings to mind the chaos, confusion and noise of a seabird colony."
Alison Nicholls
Maks, Sarah Lake
Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Handcut Paper
"Sarah’s technique is so unique and meticulous, she has been able to create real depth, personality and emotion. One feels like they’re actually looking into the eyes of a macaque."
Sophie Green
Banu, Alison Jenkins
Asian Lion, Oil Paint and Gold Leaf
Painted Dog, Jenny Campbell
Wild Dog, Digital Pencil
In a World of Wonder, Louise Ogilvy
Great Crested Newt, Oil
"I loved the way the artist echoed the crest of the newt in the background swirls and vegetation placing the main subject firmly in its habitat. The artwork is rich and vibrant whilst at the same time showcasing one of Britain's rarely seen inhabitants. "
Sevina Yates
Looking to the Future, Judy Hurst
Tristam Albatross, Watercolour, Ink, Gold Leaf
"This manages to be a tender portrayal of how parental care ensures species survival while simultaneously evoking millennia of evolution and genetic history. The ring on the albatross’s leg is the subtlest of allusions to the fragility of the future and the tragic but necessary importance of human intervention in today’s world …"
Mark Adlington
Innocence, Louise Reilly
Gorilla, Mixed Media - pen & watercolour
"Louise has been able to capture the innocence and sweetness of a young gorilla in a style that is both intricate yet loose, complex yet simple."
Sophie Green
Victorious, Art Man Wan
Giant Panda, Screen Print and Acrylic
"This piece is striking in it’s simplicity, limited palette, and bold composition. The combination of an endangered species and man-made trash caught my eye immediately. It’s a perfect contender for Sketch For Survival."
Alison Nicholls
Grace In The Light, Jess Pitchard
African Savanna Elephant, Coloured Pencils
"A bold but completely successful composition marries painstakingly accurate observation with contemporary abstraction and a subdued palette - it’s a taught but perfect balancing act."
Mark Adlington
Embrace, Naomi Jenkin
Chimpanzee, Pastel
Does my population look big in this? Roland Brass
Zebra, Mixed Media - Paint, pencil / chalk and pen & digital mix
"Bold and vibrant, with pop art sensibilities. For me, this piece is both eye-catching and provocative, as it draws our attention to environmentalism and commodification in a creative and fun way."
Sophie Green
Wild Pack, Julie Brunn
Wild Dogs, Oil
"The essence of African wild dogs is beautifully captured by Julie Brunn’s expressive painting which emphasizes their slim build, huge ears, and the jaunty jogging motion of their stride. "
Alison Nicholls
Hanging On, Linda Lunnon
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey, Scratchboard
Congratulations to all the shortlisted artists.
Results will be announced on November 14th at our event at the Royal Geographical Society in London, and shared online shortly after.