Popular Aberystwyth wildlife artist adds his support to charity gallery

One of Wales’ leading wildlife artists, Owen Williams, has added his work to an online art gallery run by conservation charity, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).

The GWCT Wildlife Art Gallery, launched in July at www.gwctgallery.org.uk, offers original art to suit all budgets, from £50 to £11,000, with 25% of all sales supporting the vital conservation work undertaken by the GWCT.

Pieces added to the gallery include a study of woodcock in ochre, a watercolour landscape of grouse in autumn and a hare.

Owen’s work has been featured in galleries, magazines and shows not just across Wales, but across Britain, with a career spanning 30 years. Aberystwyth-based Owen is part of the Redspot Artists group – a collective of some of the finest wildlife artists in the UK. His passion for painting sporting pictures comes from a childhood of fishing and shooting, which has resulted in his work becoming collected worldwide and has been reproduced in dozens of books and periodicals. Owen’s big passion is woodcock and in 2007 he formed the Woodcock Network, which has ringed over 1100 birds in the UK. The Network aims to recruit and train many woodcock enthusiasts from the hunting community to ring woodcock and improve understanding of the cryptic species.

Owen is a keen supporter of the GWCT’s work. He notes: “Having become increasingly involved in the debate surrounding shooting and conservation I have never been more convinced of the value of the tireless work GWCT does in producing the science that informs the debate and ultimately policymaking, this will only happen if the members continue their loyal support. The online gallery is a chance to do this at the same time as acquiring art from some of our finest wildlife and sporting artists.”

He is joined as a guest artist in the gallery by Alistair Makinson, whose clients include The Duke of Sutherland, The Duke of Roxburghe, The Duke of Westminster and The Duke of Bedford.

Since the gallery launched, eager buyers have snapped up £40,000 of original pieces from Ashley Boon, Ian Greensitt and Roger McPhail, raising £10,000 for the GWCT’s conservation work at a time when charities have struggled to secure vital funds.

James Swyer, GWCT press and publications manager is delighted with the success of the gallery so far. James said: “Being able to add Owen and Alistair as guest artists is a real honour. Buyers have seized the opportunity to own work from some of the most accomplished wildlife artists and support a cause that is looking out for the future of British wildlife. Some of the new pieces have already sold, so I’d advise people to take a look while they can.”

Throughout various lockdown restrictions, artists have struggled to exhibit their work, with galleries closed and many events cancelled. This gallery gives wildlife artists a platform for their work, which would usually be exhibited at The Game Fair and other such events with have been unable to run this year.

Charities are also amongst the hardest hit from the pandemic and an ability to raise funds or recruit new supporters at events. The GWCT forecast a shortfall in funding of over £1 million in 2020 and funds raised in this gallery with support the Trust’s vital work, including a team of over 50 scientific research staff.

Works by the original resident artists will continue to be available on the site, with new pieces from Ashley Boon added this month including a watercolour of one of Britain’s most-loved birds, the curlew, and a wonderful study of a robin that would make an ideal Christmas gift.