Robert Bateman

Artist and Naturalist, Bateman paints wildlife and nature. After travelling with his artist/conservationist wife Bridget to remote natural areas in Africa, Bateman became an internationally acclaimed artist by the 70s and 80s, attracting an enormous following.

He was commissioned by the Governor-General of Canada to create a painting as the wedding gift for HRH The Prince of Wales from the people of Canada. His work was collected by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the later Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands.

Bateman has had many solo shows throughout North America including an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. He was awarded the Golden Plate from the American Academy of Achievement and has been named one of the 20th Century's Champions of Conservation. He has also published many books; his most recent book is 'Safari', an illustrated book of African animals for young readers.

Bateman's art reflects his commitment to ecology and preservation. He has donated many pieces of his work to raise money and awareness for these worthy causes. He said "I can't conceive of anything being more varied and rich and handsome than the planet Earth.... I want to soak it up, to understand it as well as I can, and to absorb it. And then I'd like to put it together and express it in my painting. This is the way I want to dedicate my life."

A key exhibitor in the Tryon's regular 'Animal artist of the world 'Exhibitions, Bateman had impressive one-man shows at the Gallery in 1975, 1979 and 1985.