Explorers Against Extinction, a conservation charity based in Norfolk, has partnered with The Fine Art Society to bring their ‘Extinction’ exhibition to Scotland this autumn. The exhibition features a powerful combination of photography and sculpture from sixteen renowned artists, highlighting the devastating effects of climate change such as species extinction and habitat loss.
The exhibition has already had a successful preview at the Palace of Westminster in April 2024 and a month-long display at Nature in Art in Gloucestershire in June. It is now making its Scottish debut at The Fine Art Society on Dundas Street, Edinburgh, until October 19th. This prestigious gallery will host the exhibition for a month, providing a rare opportunity to view these masterpieces together in one space.
Ten of the artists have incorporated fossils, artefacts, and other materials from Happisburgh, the home of Explorers Against Extinction in Norfolk, into their works. Happisburgh, a community likely to be lost to coastal erosion, is revealing clues about the ancient landscape as the sand cliffs are being eroded by the North Sea. These clues include fossilized hominid footprints dating back to the end of the Early Pleistocene, 950-850,000 years ago, making Happisburgh the oldest known site of human occupation in the UK.
Sculptor Richard Deacon, a Turner Prize winner, has used mammoth fossils from Happisburgh in his piece ‘Long in the Tooth,’ reflecting on the long-term effects of climate change. Another renowned artist, Emily Young, has incorporated a 600,000-year-old flint hand axe from Happisburgh into her sculpture, ‘The Connection – A Meeting of Minds.’ Royal Academy artist Conrad Shawcross has also utilized an ancient flint tool to represent a species of early human that became extinct due to climate change.
In addition to these organic works featuring fossils and other materials from Happisburgh, the exhibition also includes photography addressing present-day issues and featuring changing landscapes and vanishing species. Internationally renowned conservation photographer Sebastião Salgado and Irish artist Richard Mosse, known for documenting humanitarian and environmental crises, are among the featured artists.
Sara White, a trustee of Explorers Against Extinction, stresses the importance of the exhibition, stating, “’Extinction’ provides a tangible journey through time, showing how climate change leads to extinction. Unlike the past, today’s extinction crisis is driven largely by human activity, and we have the power to change that.”
After its display in Edinburgh, ‘Extinction’ will move to gallery@oxo at Oxo Tower Wharf in London for three weeks as part of the larger ‘On the Edge’ exhibition, curated by Explorers Against Extinction. This event includes three collections, ‘Extinction,’ ‘On the Brink,’ and ‘Sketch for Survival,’ featuring works by artists from around the world to raise awareness about species extinction. All works are available for purchase, with proceeds going towards the charity’s conservation efforts.
For more information about the exhibition and upcoming venues, visit Explorers Against Extinction’s website or contact Sara White at sara@explorersagainstextinction.org.uk.
About Explorers Against Extinction:
Explorers Against Extinction is a Norfolk-based conservation charity dedicated to raising awareness about species extinction and habitat loss. Through innovative art exhibitions and projects, the charity aims to inspire global action to protect endangered wildlife and preserve our planet’s biodiversity. It has funded projects in 30 different countries.
About The Fine Art Society:
Established in 1876, The Fine Art Society is one of the oldest and most prestigious art dealerships in the UK. Located on Dundas Street in Edinburgh, the gallery is committed to promoting fine art through exceptional exhibitions and events. The Fine Art Society showcases a diverse range of artworks, from contemporary pieces to historical masterpieces, providing a platform for artists to engage with a broad audience. The gallery’s dedication to the arts and cultural heritage makes it an ideal venue for the ‘Extinction’ exhibition, highlighting critical environmental issues through the lens of art.
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