Last Copy of ‘Manny’ by Robert Oxley

The very last copy of the hand embellished giclee limited edition of Manny!

“When I created this body of work I wanted to take natural history painting in a new direction, I had been committed to natural history painting for 20 years and needed to find my own voice in a genre which is all technique and little imagination. My work is in part about my history in wildlife art and then deconstructing it – washing it away to reveal another way of conveying wildlife for myself.”  “My work appears loose and free but is in fact complex, which is what nature is all about.”

For as long as he can remember, Robert Oxley has loved painting. He learnt early on that he could impress others with his art when one of his drawings was published in a book called ‘Getting Ready For School’ which was sent to nursery children all over the world. As he grew a little older, his work was influenced by his love of horror movies and rock music, and he would spend all his time drawing monsters and copying album covers.

Robert developed a passion for wildlife, birds and natural history and, longing to be a zoo keeper, he began to make and paint dioramas for imaginary zoos. At around 12 years old, he accepted a challenge from his grandfather to draw all the birds in an illustrated book of birds they both loved, and was a little surprised when his grandfather then arranged an exhibition of them at his work!

Robert attempted an Art A Level in school and a degree later in life, but found both a little too repetitive, and felt he was more advanced than the class tutors. As a result, Robert is entirely self-taught; he says “Everything I know I taught myself from watching and doing, if I saw something I liked I’d try it myself and I never give up on a piece.”

He has gone on to enjoy exhibitions in various galleries throughout the UK, appeared in number publications and was highly commended by the BBC wildlife artist of the year before signing to Washington Green Fine Art.

Softly padded, oval footprints sketch matriarchal steps. She is fearless, large; with swift stillness, she moves closer. Her ears flapping ‘to keep her cool’. Once a vehicle of flashing cameras distressed her family; she trampled over grasslands breaking and tearing blameless trees. She trumpets – visitors warned.

An Elephant Never Forgets A poem by Beverleigh Gail Annegarn

Manny by Robert Oxley