Verity Petraits Shortlisted for Conservation!
Sketch for Survival is an international, art competition that has been running since 2016. It was set up by the Explorers Against Extinction Trust; a community of explorers with connections to the wider industries, such as the corporate and creative industries. This Trust was set up in 2017 and has since raised a staggering £300,000 GBP for animal conservation, thanks to their annual, art auctions.
Sketch For Survival aims to raise awareness of endangered animals and terrains, that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and poaching. Artists across the world, professional and amateur, are encouraged to donate one artwork of an endangered animal or landscape. Then the top 100 artworks that best represent these themes, are then selected and shown at the prestigious OXO Gallery, at the OXO Tower Wharf, Central London. These artworks are then auctioned at the end of the exhibition and the donations go towards a global initiative such as, the 21 For 21 conservation projects.
I’m excited to announce that my submission has been shortlisted this year!
2023, ‘Jewel of the Seabed’, Watercolour, 297x420mm. Portrait of a Thorny Seahorse.
My Thorny Seahorse made it to the 175 shortlist out of 4,000 International entries! This means I’ll need to ship the artwork off to the Explorers Against Extinction HQ, so the Judges can take a closer look! The judging panel will then pick the top 100 artworks, that they believe are the most accomplished representations of animals, and exhibit them at two prestigious art galleries; first at Edinburgh’s Dundas Street Gallery and then gallery@OXO on London’s South Bank. The 100 artworks will then be auctioned live, online, at the end of the gallery@OXO exhibit. I’m most pleased that whatever the outcome of the next judging phase, the portrait will be available to buy in aid of animal conservation!
This year I chose to paint a seahorse because I wanted to pay homage to marine life because of my love of the sea and I also love how fantastical they look! Thorny Seahorse’s occur in the Indo-Pacific Region (near Thailand). They most commonly found amongst coral reefs on the seabed. Like Chameleons, they have an amazing ability to camouflage themselves, to hide from predators. Unfortunately, their numbers are decreasing due to overfishing for the medicine markets. The Asian cultures particularly revere Seahorses for their ‘healing’ properties.
I will hear the final results on the 7th September, wish me good luck!