Is Fishing Art?
Last week I spent rather a lot of hours locked away in a studio working with a designer on a major project. It is a project that I have had in mind for in excess of 5 years and began working on a couple of seasons ago. For whatever reason we never quite got it together and then suddenly everything flowed, the ideas worked and creativity was at an all time high. Of course the project is part of our continuing business development but the real inspiration that I found came through the imagery that I was working with.
Every photo brought back memories; the lows and the highs of fishing. Every image had captured an experience …. which got me thinking.
Fishing is quite frequently described as an “art”, although of course this refers to the techniques. But think about the scenery, the wildlife, the water, rods, reels, flies, lures, the movement of casting and of course the fish themselves. There are elated faces, dejected expressions and others of pure wild adrenalin fuelled madness … sometimes the feelings are so good that fishing just takes over our souls. While I sat there pouring over images, selecting the right one to create a mood and describe a lifestyle I found myself “buzzing”, my soul was alive, I just wanted to jump right into the monitor …. isn’t that what art is all about? OK, I don’t want to go too Andy Warhol on you this Monday morning (I was however an ALevel Art student at one time … please forgive me!) so instead here are some of my favourite photographers, websites and artists who capture fishing for us, inspire and excite. It’s what we all know and love as fishporn …..
Henry Gilbey- I don’t reckon that there can be many “serious” anglers who are not aware of this mans work. By his own admission Henry is a pure fishing junkie although he has an undeniable talent for controlling his urges to bring shots such as the one below to us. In fact after hundreds of hours spent working with Henry I know that this is what makes his work so special, he is there, ready and waiting for the moment. His passion is fishing of course but the imagery excites him just as much. I was over at his house a couple of weeks back and he even has a mini studio set up for taking pictures of lures …. now if that is not art (or is he just a tackle tart?!) then I don’t know what is! Enough from me, if you are feeling jaded, need a pick me up or just want to dream … look no further! Click here.
Dont you just want to be there? Image copyright Henry Gilbey
David Burton – Several weeks back an unidentified parcel arrived at the shop. I had not ordered anything and so I was puzzled. When I opened the parcel I was blown away. Inside was a letterpress print by avid angler, digital designer and fine artist David Burton. David likes pipes, beer and fishing but never did I have him down as an artist … I guess all the signs were there! The title which he sells these prints under says it all “Beneath Bright Waters” …. fine art prints inspired by the river. Each print (there is a series of 3) has a wonderful minimalist feel that captures the simplicity of fishing. Check out his story and also a bunch of great fishing photography here
Upstream by David Burton. Copyright David Burton.
Tim Borski- has a reputation as a very talented angler but also a quite unique artist. His work may not appeal to all but personally I find his approach to be exciting and inspiring. The use of colour seems almost graffiti like, a subject that I studied during my art A Level! I think you either love or hate this work so enough from me, check it out.
Is Tim Borski the Banksy of fishing? Image copyright of Tim Borski.
Sam MacDonald - a nicer fellow you could not wish to meet. I had the privilege of spending a week with Sam over in Los Roques for a tropical saltwater fly fishing holiday … our target was Bonefish. I remember Sam’s enormous smile after landing his first ever Bone and the subsequent art which transpired. It is without doubt some of his most stunning work and my own sculptured Bonefish incorporating pewter, gold-leaf and brass is one of my most treasured possessions. Sam has developed a unique technique, which has resulted in commissions from all over the world, capturing the aesthetic beauty of fish through sculptured metal. Check out each individual scale here
Bonefish by Sam - Simply Stunning! Copyright Sam MacDonald
Flymage- Finally it seems appropriate to feature an online magazine. There have been a clutch of these publications appearing over the last couple of years and they just seem to be getting better and better. One of my absolute favourites is Flymage and I reckon if you are a red blooded angler and this does not turn you on …. well, you ain’t got a pulse! Click here for CPR whether you need it or not!
Make sure you are sat down while reading Flymage!
I hope you have enjoyed checking out the “fishy art” above. Some of it may not float your boat of course, but surely that is what art is all about, it is a very personal thing, just like fishing. I have certainly enjoyed the memories and dreams inspired by the featured work, so much so that I am going to make a bit of a feature of it on this blog throughout the year. So if you are into capturing fishing through imagery such as sculpture, blogs, online magazines and photography let me know and I will take a look. Oh and watch out later this week because the “Project” that inspired this post will be ready …
