This painting is a result of a secret study of badgers and was inspired by the privilege of being able to see them curl up together to sleep.
Building a sett
I have watched wild badgers for my art for almost 20 years, visiting a local sett most nights to study their behavior up close. But last year in preparation for a new badger artwork I built a sett in my own garden and hid cameras inside it so I could learn more about these mammals once they disappear underground.
An artist in wonder
The artwork is very different from my normal style in that it depicts badgers indoors, and inactive, but I was so inspired by the circle these badger cubs made, limbs interlocked, whilst asleep. It also depicts badger behaviour I have never recorded before. I have seen how badgers will affirm their social bonds by grooming, but I had not known that sleeping together in this way was another way to form the bonds they need to stick together as a unit in the wider world. Worth recording in art, I decided!
