#365: Art

Hopefully the final specification for the GCSE Natural History will follow up on the promise of the original draft thoughts of Mary Colwell and others. From the clues that I've seen at OCR Consultative Forum meetings and elsewhere, I'm not sure that all of the more interesting (to me) elements such as reference to art, literature and poetry will survive OFQUAL reviews.

One thing I hope stays is an exploration of how Natural History has been represented in art, and how that has changed - from prehistoric cave paintings to the iPad drawings of the Yorkshire Wolds through the seasons by David Hockney. Here's a really beautiful painting - I'll share more of these on the blog in the next year or so as things hopefully get back on track for an eventual launch.

'A City Garden', James McIntosh Patrick, oil on canvas, 1940.

#131: Hockney on seeing....

Every tree is different. Every single one. 

The branches, the forces in it; they are marvellously different. 

You are thrilled. This is the infinity of nature.

David Hockney

David Hockney is a prolific artist and one of the most important living artists.

His recent exhibitions have been particularly impressive.

This is a reminder to look properly when we are out in nature.

I visited the 'tunnel' as it is called on a previous visit up to North Yorkshire.