A sculptor based in Cher, France was named the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundations’ (DSWF) 2016 Wildlife Artist of the Year at a prize-giving event at the Mall Galleries. Umberto accepted the £10 ,000 top prize from wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE and DSWF CEO, Sally Case.

Commenting on the winning piece – a dramatic bronze of a ribbon eel (see below), the judges said that it was wonderfully sensuous with a lightness contrasting with the weight of the bronze. 'It’s beautifully smooth texture creates a very modern, original, evocation of wildlife art,' added judge, Sarah Barker.

Umberto is a self-taught artist who worked professionally for ten years as a model maker for the show-business, advertising, layout and decoration industries. He then finally started working in an art foundry, at which time his sculptures became figurative and nature-focused. Umberto has won many awards over the last thirteen years. His sculptures are exhibited and sold to fans and collectors worldwide.

The Artist Magazine Award was presented to Swedish artist, Gunnar Tryggmo, for his watercolour painting Crossroads (see below). Gunnar wins a subscription as well as a feature in the magazine in 2017. We look forward to finding out more from Gunnar about his beautiful wildlife paintings.

About Wildlife Artist of the Year & the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) annual Wildlife Artist of the Year competition has become a major event in the artists and art-buyers calendar. Attracting artists from around the world 2016 will be the competition’s 9th year. The competition forms the heart of the charity’s week of wildlife art at the Mall Galleries and is complemented each year with original works from supporting artists.

Since it began, the event has raised over £320,000 for conservation projects supported by David’s eponymous wildlife charity.

You can see the Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition at Mall Galleries in London until July 2. All exhibited works, and details of all the prize-winners, can also be seen on the David Shepherd website by clicking here.