PETE LIVESEY

Wildlife Art was established in 2000 by Pete Livesey.

Hunting and fishing was a huge part of Pete’s family life before he was born. Stories were often accounts of his grandfathers hunts and adventures in Africa and Asia. He would drift off to sleep dreaming of far away places and the wildlife and culture they offered. The land and the wildlife of the world has always held a sense of magic for Pete and it was always going to play a significant part in shaping his life.

Pete’s great grandfather was an explorer and naturalist. He might have been almost as well known as his friend Fredrick Selous, as it was only by chance that he did not accompany Selous on his first African Expedition. Pete’s grandfather carried on with similar interests, completing a BA in Natural Science and becoming a Naturalist in Burma. The appreciation for nature has been passed down for generations.

Pete and his brother had an early introduction to the outdoors by his father. Some of his earliest memories are of learning the subtleties of wielding rifle or rod, hunting or fishing in the pristine central Plateau region of New Zealand. As Pete grew more capable he ventured off further and for longer. He was quick to take up any offer to be dropped off somewhere by chopper to hunt and trap possums in the winter and autumn months. The hunting opportunities that were on offer in New Zealand for a young man in the 1980’s were world class. Come summer Pete would fish the Western Bays from the family boat or by wading the river mouths in the early mornings or evenings, reveling in the sport of catching both rainbow and brown trout.

Hunting has since taken Pete around the world, having traveled to America, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Nepal, India and Myanmar. Pete and his wife Karina have many magnificent trophy mounts in their game room that capture the magic of those memories perfectly.

Petes best hunting experiences are those set in the most vast of landscapes where humans are made small by comparison. He enjoys the challenge of big game hunting in such immense parts of the natural world. His top two hunts being the Yukon and South Westland, New Zealand. ‘Just the grandeur of its mountains and rivers hold a place in my heart.’

Pete feels he has reached his ideal, through his art form. Many wildlife behavioural and anatomical studies coupled with years of experience in nature have provided a great depth and foundation for his work. Having embarked on a career in Taxidermy at an early age, Pete excelled in a relative short time. He has entered many Taxidermy competitions over the years and there is a long list of awards to his name.