Cathedral exhibition for Jonathan’s wildlife work
A Comrie artist is exhibiting his wildlife-inspired work from June 2-7 at the St Andrew’s Cathedral in Inverness.
Jonathan Sainsbury, a former prizewinner at the Scottish Royal Academy, and signature member of the Society of Animal Artists calls his pop-up pavilion his Ark for Nature.
It is six metres by three and was built for a BBC Countryfile event.
Strath-based creative talent Jonathan said: “This is my ‘virtual’ ark, showing wildlife art as an aspect of conservation.
“By drawing attention to the beauty of wildlife around us, I want to encourage humans to live carefully with nature, seeing us as part of the whole.”
Within the range of the Ark’s subject matter, visitors are led from mountain to moorland, to forest and river then to the sea, starting with a raven and ending with a dove.
Appropriately for this Cathedral setting, the last pictures are of birds on Iona, home of Celtic Christianity.
Jonathan paints in oil and watercolour and a mixed medium of watercolour and charcoal.
There are paintings and preparatory sketches. Prices range from £150 to several. A percentage of sales will support the Cathedral and Scottish Wildcat Action.
Jonathan will be drawing and painting, as well as being on hand to meet visitors.
In addition, wildlife charities are providing free conservation leaflets and film of birds, unusually displayed in bird boxes, that fill the Ark with birdsong.
Art-lovers will be encouraged to write on paper leaves, that will be hung froma branch, as a way of showing that we each affect our environment.
The event is a partner organisation in Visit Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, 2017
Organiser Kate Sainsbury said: “From time immemorial people have found spiritual meaning in landscape and nature; sacred spaces intertwine with that tradition. This exhibition, in the glorious setting of Inverness Cathedral, continues the heritage.
“We hope that visitors to Scotland, as well as local people, will enjoy it.”
Schools, colleges and community groups have been invited and l’Arche Inverness will display homemade bird and squirrel boxes for sale. Jonathan has prepared bird-identification activities based on pictures for interaction with school groups.
Vice-Provost of the local council, Rev Sarah Murray, said: “The Cathedral is looking forward to engaging in this amazing project, with both visitors and local people alike, to see the beauty of God’s creation reflected through the eyes of Jonathan and all who will engage with it.”