A PENGUIN-themed exhibition by wildlife artist and BBC filmmaker Robert E Fuller goes on show in North Yorkshire from today.
Inspired by expeditions to South Georgia and the Antarctic, the event includes penguin art, photography and film and reflects the artist’s lifelong obsession with penguins.
Robert, who regularly produces wildlife films for BBC’s The One Show, described Antarctica as the most ‘magical’ wildlife experience of his career.
“I absolutely love penguins. I have now been to the South Atlantic twice and its raw, pristine wilderness easily counts as the most amazing place I’ve ever visited,” said Robert.
“From the dramatic landscapes to the sights and smells of so many incredible marine mammals and birds all in one place, the experience of being in this raw, wild place is overwhelming.”
Robert Fuller with one of his penguin paintings
The multi-media exhibition brings together paintings, pencil sketches, photographs and films created over several years and includes a new collection of sketches inspired by a recent trip this autumn.
It culminates in a film telling the story of this six-week expedition in which Robert also visited the remote Falkland Islands.
“Getting there was an adventure in itself, with choppy seas and long flight times, but it was worth it to experience so many special creatures,” he added.
The new exhibition includes films and photographs that capture the beauty of Antarctica’s icy wilderness; among them scenes showing King penguins marching in their thousands across wide open beaches, surrounded by vast glaciers and jagged, snow-covered mountains.
There are also comical episodes where penguins attempt to ‘run the gauntlet’ through rows of basking elephant or fur seals to reach the sea.
The artist will also open his studio to give visitors a glimpse of his artistic process and staff at the event will be serving complimentary mulled wine, mince pies and, of course, Penguin bars!
“I hope people will put this on their calendar of things to do this Christmas” said Robert. “I’d like to encourage them to come and learn about this incredible area and its wildlife and have fun doing so.”
Robert Fuller’s new exhibition, Penguins in Art and Film, is on at The Robert Fuller Gallery, Thixendale, North Yorkshire, YO17 9LS, from today, November 30, 2024, until January 6, 2025
More details at: www.robertefuller.com/pages/exhibition
