Egypt project

Recent exhibitions of new work inspired by ancient Egyptian art.

Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RJ
12-18 July 2009 Sunday-Friday 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-1pm.
Private View 14 July 5.30-9pm
www.coningsbygallery.com

and

Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester, GL2 9PA

11-30 August 2009 Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
www.nature-in-art.org.uk

 

 

Abydos
Abydos
Abydos hieroglyphs
Go to online shop

Painting of Dorcas Gazelles
Dorcas Gazelles
Go to online shop

                 Hold your mouse over the small pictures for a larger version 
Saqqara hieroglyphs Black-headed Plover Egyptian Vultures Dancing Cranes

Saqqara hieroglyphs
Go to online shop

 

Black-headed Plover
Go to online shop
Egyptian Vultures
Go to online shop
Dancing cranes
Go to online shop
My latest venture is to illustrate a research project investigating the wildlife species depicted in ancient Egyptian art. In Autumn 2008 I spent six weeks in Egypt with a team of researchers, led by ornitho-egyptologist John Wyatt. We visited museums and historic sites from Alexandria to Abu Simbel, looking at art from Predynastic to Roman times.

My particular highlights were:

  • Seeing the real "Geese of Meidum" at Cairo museum
  • Tombs of Ti and Ptahhotep at Saqqara
  • Tombs of the nobles at Beni Hassan
  • Abydos
  • The White Chapel in Karnak
  • The Valley of the Kings
  • Tombs of the nobles at Luxor
Owls
Owls
Go to online shop

Painting of Quailchick from Tutankhamun's tomb
Quailchick from Tutankhamun's tomb
Go to online shop

                 Hold your mouse over the small pictures for a larger version 
Oryx Jar Goose of Meidum Northern Lapwing

Oryx Jar
Go to online shop


Goose of Meidum
Go to online shop
Northern Lapwing
Go to online shop
Addax
Go to online shop
My role is to make as accurate as possible representations of the art when a photographic image is not possible. Later we can use the resulting paintings for study and identification of the species depicted. So far we've looked at paintings, carvings, hieroglyphs, objects, ostraca, and papyrus, and are also checking bone and mummy records. The results will be published as A Guide to the Birds of Ancient Egypt, with further publications planned for the future.

When trying to identify species from the art there are a number of variables to consider, such as:

  • Quality of workmanship and materials
  • Date of work, and therefore the colours/techniques available
  • Damage, either natural or deliberate
  • Other occurrences of that species
  • Context
  • Habitat

In addition I'm producing paintings from Egyptian works that inspire me personally, and investigating the art techniques and materials used. I plan to make a painting using authentic as possible pigments and materials.

Aswan hieroglyphs
Aswan Hieroglyphs

Painting of Wigeon
Wigeon
Go to online shop

                 Hold your mouse over the small pictures for a larger version 
Antelopes Gallinule Nile Crocodile  

Antelopes
Go to online shop


Gallinule Nile Crocodile
Go to online shop
Please contact me if you would like updates as the project progresses.

Key
Sold SOLD
GO TO ONLINE SHOP

© Copyright of images remains the property of the artist