David Trapnell, founder of Nature in Art, dies aged 95
29th September 2023
David Trapnell leaves a remarkable legacy, only eight miles west of Cheltenham and of particular interest to landscape architects with ecological and artistic leanings. Nature in Art, the world’s first museum and art gallery dedicated to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature was established in Twigworth following his initial idea in 1983, forty years ago. David Trapnell was a visionary, recognising that man is a painter and always has been, noting that nature was the first subject for artistic attention. The collection he started is housed in Wallworth Hall, a grade II listed building. Apart from the permanent exhibition, the gallery also hosts the annual wildlife photographer of the year, regular artists in residence, various societies including the Gloucestershire Society of Botanic Illustrators. There is also an amazing wildlife garden complete with many sculptures, ponds and trees.
Of relevance and interest to landscape architects, the collection can be sampled via a virtual tour of the gallery at https://natureinart.org.uk/collection/selection-of-paintings-at-nature-in-art/
Next exhibition: a celebration of sixty years of the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA), September 19th – October 22nd 2023. On December 19th the Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition runs to January 21st 2024.
