Nancy Rothwell Biological Drawings

Each year a number of College students submit entries to the Nancy Rothwell Award, which challenges young people to draw, paint, sketch or digitally create artwork capturing plant or animal anatomy. The competition is organised by the Royal Society of Biology, supported by the Royal Veterinary College, and is named after the Society’s first President, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, who is a strong advocate for bringing art and science together. The award encourages and celebrates biological specimen drawing, promoting the value of observation, creativity and artistry in science learning and discovery.

In 2021, Serena Zhang was awarded ‘Best in College’ for her beautiful hand drawn anatomy of Przewalski’s horse, also called the Mongolian wild horse (Equus ferus przewalski ). In 2022, the ‘Best in College’ award went to Vivien Li for her colourful Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Also shown here is the fabulous cuttlefish by Ava Grimshaw, whose depiction of the anatomical features is outstanding. Pupils are in fine company as Old Cheltonian Edward Wilson was himself an ornithologist, natural historian and artist. Some of his exquisite work is displayed alongside the work of current pupils in the Biology corridor at College.