ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ

Life

New Scientist recommends the Society of Wildlife Artists' annual expo

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

By Penny Sarchet

19 November 2025

Artist: Dean Patman 229 - Red Underwing Moth Medium: Found object sculpture Size: 47x67x14cm

Dean Patman’s found-object sculpture of a red underwing moth

Dean Patman

Penny Sarchet
Managing editor, London

I’ve long wanted to attend the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual Natural Eye exhibition, and a few weeks ago, I finally did. The art showcase ran at the Mall Galleries in London in October, and it is available to until 1 December.

Magazine editor Eleanor Parsons and I began by enthusing about each of the featured species. “Ooh widgeon! Curlew! Long-tailed tits!” Next, we played the “which-would-you-buy” game, only to discover that the piece I liked the most was the least practical: an astonishing found-object sculpture of a red underwing moth (above) by Dean Patman. At the time of writing, it is still available, if you share my appreciation of moths and have £1750 to spare.

In the UK, this is the season of winter migrants, when braving the winds at a muddy wetland rewards you with recently arrived ducks and waders galore. In lieu of an estuary, many of the artworks – in which wetland birds often starred – proved a calming substitute.

Topics:

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop