This category celebrates interpretation, freedom, and expression. Since the early 1900s, abstract art has played a vital role in shaping modern and contemporary art and remains a foundational pillar of the art world today. DSWF invites artists who choose to express themselves and the wildlife that inspires them non-figuratively, opening the door to pure and raw displays of emotion and perception. This category encourages bold creativity and allows audiences to engage with diverse artistic voices and perspectives.
Animals, like humans, have complex personalities and behaviours, and show a wide range of emotion, intellect, and expression. Whether showing incredible skill in seeking food, demonstrating protective instincts for their young, engaging in a unique mating performance, or simply relaxing in the sun, every creature displays individuality and character. The Animal Behaviour category has welcomed artworks that exhibit a true understanding of animal nature, capturing moments that might be humorous, tragic, aggressive, or simply a part of their daily routine.
Sponsored by BSW: “BSW are delighted to sponsor this exciting category in the DSWF Wildlife Artists Competition, 2026. Animal behaviour is often full of surprises, displaying elegant charm and beauty in some instances, tenacious bravery in others, tenderness towards each other and their progeny, as well as savage cruelty in the competition for survival.” – Sam
Our planet is an inspiring tapestry of contrasting habitats and landscapes, providing homes to a host of different animals, plants, trees, and insects. Humans share this planet with a huge variety of species, and every day, moments of beauty occur as the land and wildlife living within it adapt to survive the extremes of nature. The Earth’s Wild Beauty category is a celebration of Earth’s wild landscapes and seascapes, and all that live in them.
This category enables artists to use their platform to share work and their thoughts on the issues facing wildlife in this Anthropocene. This category invites honest discussion and the ability to shed light, unpack, and determine some of the more pressing environmental topics of our time. It can also be a celebration of how art can be used as a positive tool for effective and emotive communication. We invite the thinkers, the feelers, and the activists to share their personal insights on what is happening to our natural world and our effect upon it, both good and bad.
Sponsored by Derwent
Today, the world is facing its next mass extinction, with hundreds of species across the planet vanishing from the face of the earth before our very eyes. Whether driven by habitat destruction, wildlife crime, human-wildlife conflict, pollution, climate change, or disease, the growing challenges facing many of these incredible creatures could mean that if we don’t end extinction, our last chance to see them will be on canvas or immortalised in sculpture. The Facing Extinction category invites artists to celebrate these vulnerable species by capturing their importance in striking imagery. They may be gone tomorrow if we do not act today.
Covering 75% of our planet and essential to all life on Earth, fresh water and salt water are home to some of the most unusual, diverse, mysterious, and incredible creatures. Due to pollution, particularly plastic, our oceans are struggling to support life. The Into the Blue category features artworks that illustrate the wonderful world of water – be it ocean, seashore, wetland, river, or stream – and the incredible animals and landscapes still within it.
Sponsored by
The wonderful world of winged creatures is diverse, complex, and fascinating. Birds, bees, butterflies, and bats all experience the planet from a different perspective, soaring above our oceans, crossing vast desert plains, and making their homes in unusual locations. The Wings category shows the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife on our planet, including birds and insects, in-flight or at rest.
(for artists aged 15-19 years)
This category is dedicated to young artists whose work aligns with and reflects the voice of a new generation. Capped at 19-years-old, this is a group who will include new emerging art professionals as well as strong amateur talent. Young artists are invited to create something true to the essence of their vision, specifically reflecting the natural world, where the power of art can be shown from either a human impact and awareness perspective, or the simple desire to illustrate something beautiful and raw. We want young people to open their hearts and minds to what it is to be a courageous new youth art ambassador for wildlife.
