In a remarkable achievement, Philippa Lavers, a 47-year-old woman from West Grimstead, has emerged victorious in the prestigious Sketch for Survival Wildlife 100 competition, securing the title of Artist of the Year. Her outstanding artwork, a tender pastel drawing featuring an infant western lowland gorilla, captivated the judges and now stands to be exhibited in London, Edinburgh, and Norwich.
The Sketch for Survival competition, organized by the conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction, draws attention to endangered species and supports conservation organizations worldwide, including the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Save the Elephants, Save the Rhino International, and the Ape Alliance. Thousands of artists from around the globe participated, with Philippa’s poignant depiction of a primate earning her the coveted title.
Philippa’s inspiration for her winning artwork stemmed from a disturbing revelation in June about a global online monkey torture video ring exposed by a BBC investigation. Distressed by this discovery, she channeled her emotions into creating a piece that not only highlighted the vulnerability of endangered animals but also expressed her deep concern for their well-being.
Choosing a photo by renowned wildlife photographer Edwin Butter as her reference, Philippa’s pastel drawing captured the essence of an infant gorilla with remarkable tenderness. Wildlife artist Gary Hodges, part of the competition’s selection panel, praised the work for its “wonderful looseness,” the emotion emanating from the sparkling eyes, and the palpable sense of love conveyed through the mother’s cradling arm.
Philippa’s journey into wildlife art began in December 2019 after a hiatus of 23 years. Initially discouraged from pursuing art as a career, she reignited her passion by creating a portrait of her mother’s pet whippet. The positive response from friends and family led her to explore wildlife art further, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns when she decided to transition from her chiropractic business to pursue art full-time.
Entering the Sketch for Survival contest in 2021 marked Philippa’s first foray into wildlife art, where she secured a place among the top 100 participants. Her subsequent inclusion as an invitational artist for Sketch for Survival’s 2022 season demonstrated her growing prominence in the field. Returning to the competition this year, Philippa’s victory has been met with astonishment and humility.
Despite triumphing over seasoned wildlife artists, Philippa remains humble, acknowledging that she still has much to learn and improve upon. She sees this accolade as encouragement to continue honing her craft, expressing gratitude for the recognition of her dedication to wildlife art.
The global recognition of Philippa Lavers’ talent not only celebrates her individual achievement but also sheds light on the importance of art in fostering awareness and empathy for endangered species and their conservation.