About the owl Athene noctua is a Little Owl, painted in a realistic style, inspired by the artist's love of little owls, with their irascible temperament, beautiful plumage and connection to the Greek and Roman goddesses of wisdom.
Protecting little owls is emblematic of the need to protect our countryside. Little Owls need hedgerow and trees to nest in, but they are rapidly disappearing and Little Owl numbers have decreased by over 60% in recent years.
About the sponsor Engineers rely upon Rotork for innovative and dependable flow control solutions.The production of virtually everything that contributes to our modern, comfortable lifestyle and improved environment – from clean water to petrol, electricity and pollution free beaches – relies on Rotork actuators and flow control products somewhere in the process.
About the artist ATM is an endangered species street artist, painting in urban places to draw attention to the environmental crisis by reaching as wide an audience as possible and inspiring change in the way we treat our environment. He was named one of the UK's top 50 conservation heroes by BBC Wildlife Magazine. ATM works throughout Britain and has painted in Poland, Norway, Spain, and New York for the Audubon Mural Project. ATM said: "I'm really proud to be painting a little owl to benefit a charity that helps little owls in this country- the UK Little Owl Project, among others. It's great to have an opportunity to show what engaging characters little owls are, in such a big public event. Protecting little owls is emblematic of the need to protect our wider countryside, as they particularly favour ancient hedgerows, which are fast disappearing, but contain the old tree holes in which they like to hide and make their nests."
Where? Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QH. 7 days 1030-1800