Narberth Museum is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition from a much-respected painter, writer and adventurer, titled ‘From Pembrokeshire To The Polar Cap’

The exhibition by David Bellamy opens on Friday, November 6 and embraces not just landscapes and the magnificent coastal scenery of Pembrokeshire, but examples of David’s work resulting from his expeditions in wild locations around the world.

David is inspired by mountain, Arctic, desert and wild coastal scenes, and his work has often involved hair-raising adventures in search of subjects: from the prairies of North America to the deserts of the Middle East and dog-sledging in the Arctic.

Trying to get that elusive sketch has led him into all sorts of situations, including sketching and exploring ice caverns under the Greenland ice-cap and even having a sketch of Everest by a companion eaten by a passing yak.

Recalling, David remarked: “Once, while creeping along the bank of the Athi River in Kenya looking for hippos I spotted an enormous eye sitting in the murky water like a submarine periscope. The rest of the hippo was out of sight, so I began sketching the eye. Then it just disappeared.

“I stamped my foot in annoyance and the ground beneath me exploded. I’d stumbled on a sleeping crocodile. It shot down the bank and under the water and it was only then that I shivered in fright and looked around to see if any of its mates were around.”

The exhibition launches on November 6 at 4pm and will feature an illustrated talk from David himself where he shares about his art and the adventures that accompanied it. The launch is open to everyone and is free to attend.

David said: “It’s a great pleasure to return with an exhibition to Narberth Museum, which goes from strength to strength.”

Lorna Snuggs, Operations Manager for the museum, commented: “David had a very successful exhibition here many years ago that did a lot to support the museum and we are delighted to welcome him back for this retrospective. He is a much-admired and respected artist who continues to support us. His love of Pembrokeshire shines through in his work and we look forward to launching the exhibition.”

David’s paintings have reached private collections in many parts of the world, including Sir Chris Bonington, the Jordanian Royal Family, Sir David Attenborough, Bill Bryson and others.

A full time artist and author, he has written 23 books illustrated by his paintings and eight films on watercolour painting have been produced by APV Films. He has demonstrated watercolour painting extensively, including for the International Watercolour Masters.

David has been featured on radio and television in numerous programmes both painting and conservation roles, including his own television series Painting Wild Wales with his wife Jenny Keal.

Born and brought up in Pembrokeshire, he has fond memories of his days at Narberth Grammar School.

“In my childhood days in Llanddewi Velfrey I would roam miles in the countryside, and this made me appreciate the beauty of nature so much,” he said.

The exhibition continues until January 6 and copies of David’s books will be available at Chapter One, the bookshop at Narberth Museum.

After the launch, entry to the exhibition is included in a standard admission to the museum.