Introducing DSWF’s new Art Patron

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is delighted to announce that David Shepherd’s eldest grand-daughter and renowned wildlife artist, Emily Lamb, has been appointed as DSWF’s very first Art Patron.

Like her grandfather and aunt Mandy Shepherd, Emily is a hugely successful wildlife artist, having created world-class pieces, which highlight the beauty, interconnectivity and dependency of wildlife and people on nature, such as ‘Mother’, ‘Within and World’ and ‘Gatekeepers’.

“It couldn’t be with a stronger will and with heartfelt gratitude, that I accept and acknowledge my new role as Art Patron for DSWF,” says Emily Lamb. “Observing what the natural world is facing today, and how fragile the future is for ecosystems to thrive, and let alone flourish, I believe it’s imperative to work with honest, strong and good people, who dare to challenge current frameworks to bring about change.”

DSWF is a highly respected and well-loved charity which has become a key player in the conservation field. Tantamount to the Foundation’s success is the Shepherd family and its unique wildlife art heritage.

Emily has always been a part of the DSWF family, more recently in an official capacity as a Wildlife Art Ambassador, pioneering the #SketchforWildlife Instagram movement, successfully raising over £40,000 for DSWF’s conservation efforts across Africa and Asia. She is also a judge in our international Wildlife Artist of the Year competition and exhibition, often described as the ‘Oscars of wildlife art’.

“The arts have always had their place in the fabric of humanity and its relationship with the natural world. I believe that through art, supporting DSWF’s amazing work, it can contribute and share the stories of wildlife, in a way intrinsic to soulful and steadfast recovery,” says Emily. “If I can share my art and build up the foundations created by three decades of hard work, then it is an honour and privilege to partake in such endeavours.”

The trustees feel Emily truly embodies DSWF’s ‘Art of Survival’ message – to fight, protect and engage on behalf of wildlife across the world, making her the natural choice for this new position.

Her creative flair is a welcomed addition to the DSWF team and will be a shepherding light in driving our ‘Art of Survival’ programmes forward. Art is DSWF’s lifeblood. Wildlife Artist of the Year, Artist of the Month and our Global Canvas children’s art competition are critical fundraising tools, that not only showcase magnificent wildlife art and highlight global conservation issues but raise lifegiving funds for some of the world’s most endangered wildlife.

Emily’s appointment comes after her sister, Georgina Lamb, was made the Chief Executive of the Foundation in April 2020.

While art is the Foundation’s lifeblood, the Shepherd family is at its heart. ‘Art is long, and life is short’ – no truer words were spoken, David Shepherd was one of the world’s most successful and prolific wildlife artists, who dedicated his life and work to protecting wildlife and the wilderness.

David vehemently believed that he had to give back to the creatures, that not only inspired him as an artist but that he felt he owed his commercial success to; thus, he started DSWF 36 years ago.

“Art throughout history has not only dared to challenge fraught times head-on, through messaging and visual prowess but has also shed light on an otherwise very dark battlefield, which needs more energy than ever before. Community is our power, and through art, its power is infinite. This is what I believe, and so I take the role with great anticipation and excitement,” says Emily.

Continuing David’s legacy is the next generation of Shepherds and Lambs who are flocking together to save the world’s precious wildlife from extinction.

Georgina’s expertise, working on global conservation issues, complemented by Emily’s artistic energy will be the driving force behind the Foundation’s ever-expanding horizons and bright future.

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