This year's Thurrock Art Trail is bigger and more inclusive than ever, with over forty venues and sixty artists taking part, including work made by community groups, schools, and professional and amateur artists alike.
Once again RSPB Rainham Marshes is taking part and we have two exhibitors over the duration of the two week event.
Thurrock Art Society was founded in 1970 and the wonderfully eclectic group of artists have exhibited their work several times over the past few years with creations in a variety of mediums. I actually have a couple on my wall at home...
The set up their work on Saturday and it will be on show until the afternoon of Saturday 22nd when Chris Wallbank will take over.
Christopher Wallbank SWLA, is a visual artist with an interest in working from direct observation of landscape and wildlife. His focus is on observational drawing as a means of engaging with the natural world found on his doorstep and a sense of place in the wider environment. This exhibition brings together a selection of watercolours and drawings of wildlife Christopher has made in the field at locations ranging from the rural settings of his birthplace in Mid Wales to his current home in urban London. Work made a few steps from the exhibition venue in the Purfleet hide at Rainham Marshes also features, as well as subjects that present new challenges for the field artist.
From glimpses of chamois in high alpine environments to drawing spider crabs in their underwater habitat, Christopher’s work is full of the energy and anticipation that comes from being immersed in the moment of a wildlife encounter. Christopher is an elected member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, his exhibitions have included solo shows at WWT Slimbridge, Sheffield Cathedral, RSPB Ynys-hir and group exhibitions at Christie’s King Street, the Wellcome Collection and the Painter Stainer's Prize. His work features in several international collections including the Royal Collection and the Sir Michael Moritz Heyman Art Collection. Christopher is currently employed as a tutor on the Royal Drawing School’s Young Artists programme and is a volunteer for the Schools on Reserves programme here at Rainham Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve.
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer