Art for Wildlife conservation
Alan Hunt is a Wildlife artist with a profound scientific knowledge of animals and their environments. Calling himself ‘the zoologist who paints wildlife,’ he creates images reflecting a lifetime of study of their habits and genetics, which have an incredible quality of photorealism.
At 18, Hunt mounted his first show in his home town of Redcar, and exhibitions at the Austin Hayes Gallery in York soon followed. Since then, his paintings have been exhibited regularly in museums, galleries, and collections throughout the globe. Principally known as a birds-of-prey artist until his thirties, he widened his subject matter to encompass other predators, particularly tigers, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. ‘They appeal to the predator in us’, he says. ‘We look at them with a touch of envy but also great respect.’ During the 1970s and 1980s, when nature conservation was gathering momentum, he became involved in the World Wildlife Fund’s Save the Tiger campaign.
Hunt’s artistic career has been underpinned by in-depth knowledge of fauna, flora, and habitat. Writer and broadcaster Paul Evans describe the ethos this has stimulated: ‘Alan sought to reconnect the animal with its environment and, through this, engage the viewer in a natural ecological story. His painting evokes dramas in which the trees, rocks, and rivers became as significant as the interactions between the animals.’
Wildlife artist for Conservation
Hunt’s love of natural history is genuinely inclusive, and it takes in portraying everything from eagles and big cats to elephants and gorillas, otters, and penguins. Assisting with breeding programmes for endangered species and working with captive and wild animals, he has exceptional opportunities to observe and understand the creatures he paints. His support for environmental charities includes protecting animals and, equally important, their habitats. Having seen some of the pitfalls of reserve-based Conservation, he is an enthusiastic advocate of schemes that consider the entire ecosystem.
Hunt has received wide acclaim in the United States; he has, on four occasions, won the Society of Animal Artists Award of Excellence. The Society of Wildlife Artists nominated him Best Artist in Show for three consecutive years in Britain. In 1998, he was the first non-American voted to the American Wildlife Art Hall of Fame. And in 1999, he was chosen as Artist of the Year at the Florida Wildlife Art Exposition.
Hunt’s latest paintings concentrate on endangered species. ‘As a wildlife artist and conservationist, I have grave concerns for the environment and believe it needs as much support as possible, whether financially or as a spokesman. If my son doesn’t get to see half the wildlife I have seen in his lifetime, I’ll feel very guilty. I want to be an artist as someone who tries to make people aware of the need to protect the environment and the planet.’
Achievements
Alan’s achievements and recognition in art speak for themselves, with four Gold Medals in the prestigious Society of Wildlife. Artists (USA) Voted into the Artists Hall of Fame, Featured Artists at many major shows, and many more individual trophies tucked into his drawer. He has been invited to judge at many shows, such as the UK National Children’s Art Competition and Not the Turner Prize, and has been featured on various TV discussions and art programs.
What is Wildlife Art?
We welcome enquiry for special commission.
For all private or corporate commissions by our gallery artists, please get in touch with Sunil Vilas atICAS Vilas Art Gallery
21 Commerce Way
Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3DNPhone: 01462677455
Email: info@vilasart.co.uk
ICAS Vilas Art Gallery
Garden Square Shopping Centre,
Email: info@vilasart.co.uk
ICAS – VILAS FINE ART ARE PROUD TO SHOWCASE WORK BY ALAN M. HUNT WILDLIFE COLLECTION