Rebecca Howard's Rewilding Paintings Debut at Knepp, West Sussex, on 12 September
From 12 September to 18 October, the Knepp estate in West Sussex showcases nine large paintings that illustrate England's rewilding areas. Artist Rebecca Howard dedicated two years to exploring various rewilding initiatives, spending a month on each canvas measuring 120cm by 70cm. The featured locations include Cabilla, Knepp estate, Derek Gow's farm in Devon, Derby's Allestree Park, and Broughton Sanctuary. At Hamatethy Farm, she observed a beech tree gnawed by beavers, while at Knepp, she focused on standing deadwood. Her goal was to create an uplifting exhibition that inspires hope during the climate crisis. Lia Brazier, Knepp's creative director, highlighted the cultural significance of rewilding. Howard aspires to take her work on a UK tour following the exhibition at Knepp.
Key facts
- Rebecca Howard's exhibition of nine rewilding paintings opens at Knepp, West Sussex, on 12 September and runs until 18 October
- Howard spent two years visiting rewilding projects in England and one month painting each canvas
- Each canvas measures 120cm tall by 70cm wide
- Sites depicted include Cabilla, Knepp, Derek Gow's Devon farm, Derby's Allestree Park and Broughton Sanctuary in North Yorkshire
- Cabilla is being restored by the Thousand Year Trust, founded by Merlin Hanbury-Tenison
- At Hamatethy Farm in Cornwall, Howard painted a beech mostly chewed by beavers but still standing
- At Moor Barton in Devon she joined a group ring-barking non-native larch trees
- Knepp creative director Lia Brazier said rewilding must exist in culture and imagination, not only landscapes
- Howard hopes the exhibition will tour other places in Britain
Entities
Artists
- Rebecca Howard
- Merlin Hanbury-Tenison
- Derek Gow
- Lia Brazier
- Charlie Burrell
Institutions
- Knepp
- Thousand Year Trust
- Rewilding Britain
- Broughton Sanctuary
- Hamatethy Farm
- Moor Barton
- Allestree Park
- Cabilla
- The Guardian
Locations
- West Sussex
- England
- United Kingdom
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- North Yorkshire
- Britain