Society of Wildlife Artists London exhibition
We who make our art out in nature are REBELS!
That's what Actor Director Samuel West said as he opened the Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition in London last week.
That feels so cool.
Sam said the art we make... the stopping to watch, to really see... to witness... is an act of rebellion.
Leo, the rebel
Sam West's speech was motivational, optimistic. It was heartfelt and full of respect and love for our wonderful world, full of the importance of taking time to notice. It was INSPIRING:
"Observing nature demands slowness and attention, it demands that we pause, that we listen, that we see, that we care.
That quality of attention is everywhere evidenced by the work here today.
At a time when the world is at tension, your attention matters more than ever."
Samuel West, opening speech, Society of Wildlife Artists Natural Eye exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, 30th September 2026
The opening of the Society of Wildlife Artists annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London last week was simply the best. Seven hours of non-stop brilliant interaction and connection.
The society is a brilliant artist organisation and I'm so excited to have two of my pieces selected for the show again this year.
The exhibition is visitable in London until 5pm on Saturday 10th October.
The whole show is online too. It's brilliant. It's inspiring.
There are nearly 400 artworks in the exhibition, the vast majority of them made out in the field (riverside/woodland/ocean/island/hill/etc!), or made in studios after hours and hours of observational drawing outdoors.
Making art outdoors, from life, is a most wonderful to really deeply experience and connect with wildlife and habitat, with the world. It's what the Society of Wildlife Artists, and its members are all about. It’s what I’m all about.
This year, both my pieces are large mixed media artworks, both were made on the Isle of May, as so much of my work is.
Lion, Moons & Wrack
Lion, Moons & Wrack
mixed media on paper
£1,350
Catalogue no.76
More Leo the rebel
photo thanks to Art Vox
Honoured and delighted to be hung on this beautiful wall of underwater artworks - me, Rosanne Guille, Dafila Scott SWLA and Louise Scammell SWLA
The Angel, The Haven, The South Horn
The Angel, The Haven, The South Horn
mixed media on paper
£1,350
Catalogue no.77
Those rebellious eyes
photo thanks to Art Vox
Who else is in the show?
My island companions and fellow artist rebels - Kittie Jones SWLA, Liz Myhill SWLA, Jane Smith SWLA, Nye Hughes SWLA, Helen Kennedy, Johnnie Foker SWLA.
And many other brilliant artists.
See it.
In person if you can.
Online if you can’t.
My pieces - https://buyart.mallgalleries.org.uk/leo-du-feu
The whole show - https://buyart.mallgalleries.org.uk/swla-2026
Natural Eye 2026 runs at Mall Galleries in London until 10th October. Open daily until 5pm.
As well as visiting, sharing and buying from the exhibition, you can also support the Society of Wildlife Artists and all that they do by becoming a Friend for only £25 p/y - here.
More pics from the opening day and evening:
Panel discussion chaired by Martha Kearney to launch the stunning new book, This Healing Heath, by the Society of Wildlife Artists and many of its members.
On the panel were (l-r) Nick Acheson writer, Harriet Mead President SWLA, Olly Birkbeck.
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“A book brimming with stunning artwork and insightful commentary about an inspirational landscape.”
Martha Kearney, journalist and broadcaster
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Buy your copy here - https://swla.co.uk/support-us/this-healing-heath-book