Well it seems like I've stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest by doing a special focus on badgers. I mean I know Damien Hirst and co are controversial but surely not a wildlife artist!!! I have had a few press articles about the exhibition featuring the badgers and I've had all sorts of comments - including one anonymous sender that sent my invitation to my exhibition back to me with the words "You can stick the TB spreading Badgers up yours" - charming I'm sure. Another person commented on the Hull Daily Mail's website that it was a good thing I've finished the paintings as the badgers are about to be culled by East Riding Council. And rightly so according to him. Thankfully I've had positive feedback too and I've sold one of the big badger oils already, so there are definitely some people that appreciate badgers too. Oh well, it's all part of the rich tapestry of life! Perhaps this could be the start of a new controversial me?
Badgers vs. the world
Well it seems like I've stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest by doing a special focus on badgers. I mean I know Damien Hirst and co are controversial but surely not a wildlife artist!!! I have had a few press articles about the exhibition featuring the badgers and I've had all sorts of comments - including one anonymous sender that sent my invitation to my exhibition back to me with the words "You can stick the TB spreading Badgers up yours" - charming I'm sure. Another person commented on the Hull Daily Mail's website that it was a good thing I've finished the paintings as the badgers are about to be culled by East Riding Council. And rightly so according to him. Thankfully I've had positive feedback too and I've sold one of the big badger oils already, so there are definitely some people that appreciate badgers too. Oh well, it's all part of the rich tapestry of life! Perhaps this could be the start of a new controversial me?
2 comments
Sounds like you’ve got it much worse over there – I think you’re right if we had wolves and bears no-one would even think about the badgers! That did make me chuckle.
The visceral negative reaction your Badger paintings are getting from some people remind me of the medieval response that many people,(including state government officials) have against wolves here in Alaska. The state still pays people to shoot wolves from helicopters in spite of the fact that the people have repeatedly voted to end the practice. Imagine the reaction of people in Great Britain if you still had wolves, and bears. No one would worry about Badgers. Your Badger paintings are beautiful, and it is a noble enterprize to put them before the public. Hooray for you.