Boost your wildlife art collection and support vital conservation research

The GWCT Online Wildlife Art Gallery has welcomed a new guest artist, David Cemmick, to join its online exhibition gwctgallery.org.uk. A selection of David’s paintings and sculpture will be available to purchase from the online exhibition from the beginning of April. At the same time, works from Godfrey’s Collection, a small private collection of quality wildlife art, will also be offered for sale in the gallery. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the sale of David Cemmick’s work and Godfrey’s Collection will go to fund the work of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), supporting vital research to enhance the British countryside and boost biodiversity.

On being invited to join the gallery as a guest artist David, who is a long-time supporter of the GWCT, said: “I am honoured to be a part of this artist-led initiative to support art and conservation together.”

Godfrey’s son Edward, a GWCT member, said: “My late father, like so many sportsmen, enjoyed accumulating a wide collection of sporting art. It is hard to part with pictures you have known since childhood, but the GWCT is a close friend and the idea that it will benefit from 25% of the sale feels right.”

The online gallery was set up in 2020 by the GWCT and renowned artist and GWCT supporter Ashley Boon in response to the effects of the pandemic on charities and artists. Recognising that cancelled events were causing charities to miss out on much-needed fundraising income, and that artists were struggling to find outlets for their work, Ashley suggested creating an online selling exhibition. He offered some of his own work and recruited sculptor in bronze Ian Greensit who, along with Ashley, became the new gallery’s resident artists. Since then, the GWCT Online Wildlife Art Gallery has also featured several guest artists, including Roger McPhail, Owen Williams and Alistair Makinson.

Andrew Gilruth of the GWCT said: “With so many fairs and auctions cancelled, and galleries so often closed, there have been few opportunities to buy wildlife art. The GWCT Gallery gives people access to some beautiful works by leading wildlife artists. We are delighted to add David’s work to the exhibition. We are also very grateful to Godfrey’s family for giving us the opportunity to sell his wonderful collection.”

Cumbria-based David is a painter and sculptor who is inspired by the natural world. For the past forty years his art has taken him around the globe, from the rainforests of Madagascar and the remote islands of New Zealand, to painting fish underwater in Jamaica and observing wildlife in the African savannah but, he says “the diverse beauty of Britain and her wildlife has always called me home”.

Godfrey’s Collection includes original works and limited edition prints by Rodger McPhail, JC Harrison and William Garfit, amongst others.

Cumbria-based David Cemmick has been a freelance artist since his first sell-out solo exhibition in 1974, at the age of nineteen. Over the past four decades he has travelled extensively, gathering field experience and documenting scientific expeditions in some of the world’s remotest habitats.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for several Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

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