The art of nature conservation
This original research makes a first attempt to understand some of the origins of the visual culture of UK nature conservation, and how it has developed over the last seventy years or so. The history and communication work of the statutory nature conservation agencies are described using evidence pr...
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| Format: | Thesis (University of Nottingham only) |
| Language: | English English |
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2020
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/63125/ |
| Summary: | This original research makes a first attempt to understand some of the origins of the visual culture of UK nature conservation, and how it has developed over the last seventy years or so. The history and communication work of the statutory nature conservation agencies are described using evidence provided through interviews with former and current staff members and analysis of published material. Interviews with wildlife artists and surveys of two specific groups of the public have revealed further information about imagery conveying nature conservation messages.
Overall, and despite some effective initiatives, the English statutory agencies have not made full use of the power of the visual arts to communicate problems of the natural world and to inspire actions to address these problems. This was initially due to a combination of corporate culture and lack of resources, and more recently it has been largely due to restrictions imposed by central Government. Science and facts have been paramount in underpinning policy and communications. Meanwhile, artists, including Artists-in-Residence, and their creative endeavours have stimulated an emotional response to the environment and its problems, with examples of successes in terms of securing funding, increasing voluntary effort and participation, changing behaviour and winnings hearts as well as minds. This research has demonstrated the dichotomy of the two approaches, but found that when brought together art and science can be successful motivators.
Nature conservation visual culture encompasses elements of conservation and creativity, art commissioners and the buying public, land owners and countryside visitors, the welcome and the excluded, science and art, fact and emotion, confrontation and environmental deterioration, memories and aesthetics. |
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