A little walk on the Wild Side Art Exhibition by Stephen Bushe

This exhibition is inspired by walks in Morden Hall Park and along the River Wandle. It celebrates the importance and sheer joy of spending time in our wild spaces.

This ancient green haven, recorded in the Domesday Book, is now an urban oasis, brimming with iconic trees, wetlands, hay meadows and abundant wildlife, including herons, water voles, banded demoiselles and, on occasion, sparrowhawks. There is a real sense of wildness, rejuvenation and wonder to be found here.

In my own wild way, I have attempted to capture the essence of this special place. My artistic approach is expressive and abstract, using gestural brushstrokes, bright colours, splashes and drips to evoke the movement, mood and sounds of the park. My hope is that these paintings inspire you to veer off the beaten track and notice the places where buildings meet branches, reedbeds touch the sky and windblown seeds find a home amongst the sedge and brambles.

The exhibition features around 27 original paintings, mostly acrylic on canvas, alongside handmade cards created using leaf stencils from leaves gathered in the park. All artworks are available to purchase.

As a long-term Merton resident, I regularly return to Morden Hall Park to escape, rejuvenate and continue exploring its unique sense of wilderness through paint.