11 South Grove
London N6 6BS
UK
Leaves on the pond – watercolour – 61x46cm. DeeMcLean 2018. All rights reserved
The restoration of the ecology at the Model Boating Pond on Hampstead Heath
A Year at the Boat Pond is an exhibition of watercolours, acrylics and mixed media that documents the restoration of the ecology at the Model Boating Pond on Hampstead Heath in London following the rebuilding of its dam in 2015-16. The paintings record the aquatic and meadow planting taking root and growing through the seasons.
Journeying through the places that she is emotionally attached to, and looking at how they are all intimately linked by the changing global climate, Dee McLean’s paintings reflect how beautiful and precious our ecosystems are, exploring the relationship between our landscapes and ourselves.
She has written a book in conjunction with the exhibition which explores the geology and history of the Heath, the work done on the ponds and looking at the how the changing global climate has led to the changes in our weather patterns making this environmentally important work necessary. Dee will give you an opportunity to hear about the project in a talk on Saturday 13th and Saturday 20th at 2pm.
Dee studied Illustration at Harrow School of Art and went on to a career in Medical Illustration. She has also had several exhibitions of botanical paintings and drawings and taken on private commissions. Dee is now bringing her love of science and art back into painting, drawing and writing, and hopes that through her art she can remind us that we can all play a part in protecting our own environment.
Dee’s projects take her around the world, painting directly from the geology, flora and fauna she finds on her travels, looking to capture the ephemeral nature of our environment.
Following on from this show, Dee has an exhibition of her Gulf Coast paintings in Covington, Louisiana, USA in May 2019.
All Dee’s projects have a local charity attached to them. Heath Hands, who are the voluntary organisation on the Heath, will receive a donation from all sales of original paintings, the book, prints and cards from this project.