On this, the first day of 2022, we feature Crouching Lynx, a 1995 work by Salt Spring Island’s Robert Bateman.
“The lynx is an animal of mystery,” Bateman says. “Although they are relatively common within their range, they are seldom seen in the wild. They are mostly nocturnal hunters, and they move quite silently.
“A lynx can be distinguished from a bobcat by its long ear tufts, generous side whiskers, grey colour and oversized feet… for walking on the snow without sinking in.”
The Bateman Gallery, at 470 Belleville St. in Victoria, is home to a permanent collection of Bateman’s work and a rotation of temporary exhibits by other ecological artists that uphold Bateman’s legacy.
Its goal is to illuminate the wonders of the natural world, share environmental knowledge and deepen the human-nature connection.
The Bateman Foundation offers local and national education programs, including a nature sketch program that connects youth and adults to their local ecosystems through a pencil and a sketchbook.
In 2021, the foundation introduced a program to support the mental well-being of the community by providing free therapeutic art programming.
The Bateman Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, and admission is by donation.
Regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
