New exhibition offers glimpse of Dartmoor's landscape and animals
Dartmoor National Park presents an exhibition of Dartmoor landscapes and the animals that inhabit the moor.
Princetown Visitor Centre is hosting painter and illustrator Matt Buckett’s exhibition Dartmoor Landscapes and the Animals Within from Thursday 26 March until Tuesday 2 June.
The exhibition showcases Matt’s ability to capture Dartmoor and its wildlife characters in vibrant and varying media using oil paint, ink, gouache and watercolour.
His exhibition coincides with National Park Fortnight (Saturday April 4 - Sunday 19 April) which celebrates the countless opportunities to get outside and discover the length and breadth of the UK's 15 National Parks.
Rebecca Martin, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Visitor Services Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Matt’s wonderful art is being exhibited in our Princetown Visitor Centre throughout spring. We can’t wait to see his artwork on display and think people will love the colour and personality of each one. “We look forward to welcoming people to our visitor centre and Matt’s exhibition. With National Parks Fortnight on the horizon and lots planned for people of all ages, now is a great time to get planning and make a date to visit Dartmoor."
Matt studied fine art at Falmouth College of Art and Southampton Institute of Technology and has been producing works of art since graduating in 1998. He paints portraits, animals and landscapes and produces graphic design, illustration and brand consultancy for businesses.
Living and working in Tavistock on the edge of Dartmoor, he enjoys bringing the places and animals of Dartmoor to life with the use of stunning colour, composition and light.
Matt said: “When looking for a subject or composition I am drawn to colour, light and dramatic structure. With the landscapes I work from photographs that I take myself when out on the moor. The animals I choose to paint can be from my own photography, or from research, where I use images as a reference then change elements to fit the composition in order to make the image my own.
“I like to produce an image that demonstrates a level of texture, light and contrast, as well as embracing the materials I am using. This allows the brush marks, ink splats and canvas texture to describe some of the detail of the image.”
Designated as a National Park in 1951, Dartmoor is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain. It is of international importance for its Bronze Age archaeology, blanket bogs, upland heaths, upland oak woods and cave systems, and of national importance for its valley mires, Rhôs pasture and grass moor.
It is home to a wide variety of wildlife and habitats and is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects, some of which are so rare they are only found on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor National Park Authority works with communities, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to look after this special landscape and promote its conservation and enjoyment.
The Authority runs three visitor centres at Princetown, Haytor and Postbridge, all of which make great starting points for a visit to the moor. They are free to visit and donations for Donate for Dartmoor are welcome in return.
As well as being staffed by friendly, knowledgeable staff, who can help people make the best of their outing, the centres are stocked with maps, books and leaflets, and quality gifts from The Dartmoor Range.
Princetown is the flagship visitor centre. Built between 1809 and 1810 it served as quarters for officers guarding prisoners at Dartmoor Prison before it was converted into a hotel. Famously, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed there when he wrote the Sherlock Holmes adventure Hound of the Baskervilles.
It has been a visitor centre since the early 1990s and hosts a variety of exhibitions and displays as well as a children’s discovery zone. The spectacular former ballroom hosts a rolling exhibition programme which is where you’ll find Matt’s work.
Donate for Dartmoor supports a variety of projects across Dartmoor.Donations of time and money are essential for us to be able to look after the heritage and wildlife of Dartmoor and to make it a place for everyone to enjoy today, tomorrow and for the future.