Birds

I am one of 21 invited artists contributing to an exhibition in summer 2024 at the Sidney Nolan Trust in Presteigne which explores the geological, ecological and human story of Hanter Hill, Worsell Wood and Stanner Rocks.

The area, on the mid-Wales/England border, contains remnants of Pre-Cambrian volcanoes and some of the oldest rocks in Wales. It’s a beautiful location, and Stanner Rock is home to the elusive Radnor Lily.

I spent the first weekend of 2024 walking in Worsell Woods as well as Stanner Rocks, exploring as much as possible. With limited time, it was important to get a sense of the ecology of this particular area and the ‘feel’ of the hills and how the underlying geology informs what lives on the surface. I wanted to discover the different inhabitants in this area, in a variety of habitats including mixed woodland with some striking examples of oak, ash and birch.

I have had a long interest in the work of naturalist Gilbert White and prior to visiting Stanner, I had visited his home in Selborne on the South Downs. His important work observing and documenting birds, their behaviour and associated ecology have inspired many. During lockdown I became especially interested in the birdlife of the surrounding woods at home and in particular, how I encountered, observed and recorded them; not just their identification but also their behaviours. In short, I noticed ‘more’. I thought about how we observe and record – what do we actually notice, and what can we learn and retain, especially when walking?

This turned my thoughts to our relationship to what we refer to as ‘nature’ and the fragility of ecological systems. Walking the Hogback Hills reveals the eons of deep time and relative permanence expressed in the geological make up of the Stanner complexes expressed against the short, thin veil of our own existence and impact we are enacting on the planet.

A series of bird drawings will form part of the exhibition which runs from 18th July – 28th September.

Hogback Hills – Sidney Nolan Trust, The Rodd, Presteigne, LD8 2LL

Sidney Nolan Trust

I am a graphic fine artist who works exclusively in graphite. Extensive walking, close observation and research about land, place and what we call ‘nature’ are integral to my practice.

I have exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy and with the Society of Graphic Fine Art in London as well as various Open exhibitions in South West England including RWA Drawn, Bath Society of Artists Annual Opens and Somerset Art Weeks events. I also show extensively with The Arborealists.

unnamed-2 — *Drawing in Horner Woods (photo Davina Jelley)*

In my curatorial work, I have organised many exhibitions including ‘The Transformed Land’, which collected work from various artists interested in place- some who frequently return to the same place, others who are visitors, some who are residents, and some who are creators of imagined places.

Here, you can find information about my work, exhibitions and news with an insight into my process through ‘walking and writing’. Cards and reproductions of my work are available under ‘purchase’.

I am a member of The Arborealists and a Member of The Society of Graphic Fine Art. I also work as the Creative Director for Dorset Visual Arts

paul newman

Artist, Arborealist, Curator

Hogback Hills

Introduction