From breast stroke to brush strokes for marine wildlife
Wednesday 18th August 2010
Artist wins special grant to dive with The Wildlife Trusts
An artist has won a unique bursary to fund diving lessons to explore life under the UK’s waves. The Wildlife Trusts’ Underwater Award has been presented to Anna Kirk-Smith, in association with The Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA).
Anna will complete her dive training on Sunday 15 August, ready for a sea dive on Thursday 19 August when she will make sketches of what she sees. Her sketches will form the basis for works to be exhibited at the SWLA’s annual exhibition in September when it is hoped her work will raise awareness of marine life and what is being done to protect it.
Kirk-Smith studied veterinary science, but followed it up with a Master of Arts (MA) in communication art and design. This betrays her interest in exploring the links between art and science. Anna said:
“I have always taken great inspiration from the natural world, particularly coastal and marine environments. The works inspired by my diving experiences will play an important role in raising awareness. They will be created with the intention of informing and enlightening viewers as to the richness, beauty and threats facing our marine environment.”
Kat Sanders, Marine Awareness & Research Officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has been supporting Anna throughout her dive training, and will accompany her on her first sea dive, to take place off Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire.
“Anna’s commitment to the marine environment has been apparent from the beginning,” said Kat. “She has always been clear that she wants to use and build on her diving skills to support Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas work long term. And, as a talented artist, she brings invaluable benefit and a unique perspective to our awareness-raising activities. We are thrilled and proud that Anna and her finished artwork will represent our region and we look forward to seeing the finished piece exhibited later in the year. The area we will be diving off Flamborough is the perfect site to gain inspiration, teeming with marine life such as the colourful bloody henry starfish, and dahlia anemones.”
The Wildlife Trusts are working towards a vision for Living Seas, where marine life thrives. In order to achieve this vision, access to data about what lives in our oceans is crucial. The Wildlife Trusts rely on teams of volunteer Seasearch divers to gather data, and Anna is excited to be able to play a role in Seasearch once her training is complete.
Anna added: “Now I have been offered this opportunity, I have no intention for my diving experience to be a one-off. I will further my diving training so that I am able to volunteer for Seasearch dives, surveying marine life so organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts can benefit.
“This opportunity has added a new dimension to every aspect of my life: it is informing my art, enhancing my North Sea conservation knowledge and hence allowing me to communicate more effectively my enthusiasms for marine life to others. I live very close to the sea, so when I walk to the end of the road each morning I'll be looking out at a whole new world.”
For those who are curious to see the outcome of Anna’s diving experiences, her work will be on display at the SWLA Annual Exhibition from Wednesday 22 September to Saturday 2 October at The Mall Galleries in London. You can see a sneak preview of some of the works to go on display at the exhibition on The Wildlife Trusts’ Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/wildlifetrusts/sets/72157624626553185/.
For artists interested in donning snorkel and flippers, applications for the 2011 bursary are open until 13 September. For details of how to apply visit www.swla.co.uk/Projects/Bursary/Bursaries.htm.
Story by RSWT