LONDON.- For millennia, humans have turned to animals as a source of inspiration. Animal Instinct explores this enduring fascination, bringing together contemporary sculptors who translate the nature of animal life into tangible, expressive forms.
Discover the artistic journey of Elisabeth Frink with this comprehensive catalogue raisonné.
From Joseph Paxton’s texturally rich sculptures, which capture the essence of birds and other animals found in the Welsh countryside, to Isaac Okwir’s beautifully observed depictions of Uganda’s vibrant wildlife, this exhibition explores the myriad ways artists interpret and reimagine the animal kingdom.
For artists such as Anita Mandl, whose background as a zoologist informs her elegant forms, encounters with animals are both scientific and emotional. Similarly, Jon Buck’s dynamic sculptures - shaped by his early career as a bird keeper at Bristol Zoo - reveal his fascination with avian life and the ways in which animals and humans coexist.
A highlight of the exhibition is a monumental bronze horse head by the late Heather Jansch, whose pioneering use of driftwood transforms discarded natural materials into majestic equine forms. Living on a remote hill farm in Wales during the 1960s, where she bred Welsh Cobs, Jansch gained a profound understanding of equine behaviour and anatomy. Her sculptures, later cast in bronze, embody the power and elegance of horses, reflecting our deep connection with these magnificent creatures.
Emma Carlow adds a playful and innovative perspective with her collection of ceramic whistles. Inspired by Mexican whistles she encountered at the British Museum, Carlow embarked on a year-long project to create a whistle a day, resulting in 365 whimsical creatures, a selection of which are presented in the exhibition.
Animal Instinct also features the work of Michael Cooper, whose sensuous animal forms, carved in marble or stone before being cast in bronze, reveal the essence of the animals he sculpts. His tactile surfaces convey a quiet energy born from the long hours required to bring them to life.
Angela Palmer brings a unique intersection of art and science with her sculpture Eclipse. Based on CT scans of the legendary racehorse, Palmer’s work explores themes of lineage, speed, and the enduring legacy of one of history’s most remarkable horses.
Terence Coventry, whose years as a farmer have deeply informed his work, explores the rugged yet gentle nature of animals familiar to him - such as dogs, jackdaws, and bulls. His bronzes balance strength with grace, eloquently capturing the movement and behaviour of his subjects.
Animal Instinct invites us to reflect on our interconnectedness with animals, highlighting the beauty, complexity, and sometimes mysterious nature of the species that share our planet.
In the face of growing environmental challenges and at a time when our connection to the natural world seems ever more distant, this exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of preserving biodiversity and fostering a more harmonious relationship with the animal kingdom.
The exhibition features a diverse array of artists including Susan Bacon, Jon Buck, Emma Carlow, Michael Cooper, Terence Coventry, Dame Elisabeth Frink, Steven Gregory, Heather Jansch, Jonathan Kenworthy, Bryan Kneale RA, Anita Mandl, Marino Marini, Charlotte Mayer, Breon O’Casey, Isaac Okwir, Angela Palmer, Joseph Paxton and Carl Plackman.
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