Skull of Phorusrhacos longissimus) At two and a half metres tall, Phorusrhacos longissimus is an example of a 'terror bird', top predators that lived in South America about 50 million years ago.

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Concept

In January 2008 the Museum invited 10 artists to propose a Darwin-inspired work of art for the ceiling of a gallery behind the Museum's Central Hall.

The original gallery ceiling has sadly deteriorated and is now beyond repair. Painted white, the space will provide a fantastic blank canvas where one leading artist will have the opportunity to make their contribution to the living heritage of the Museum.

The artists were set the task of creating a piece of art inspired by Charles Darwin’s ideas and what they mean to our understanding of nature and our place in society today. To help them, they attended a two-day workshop by Darwin experts and Museum, and were given access to the Museum’s libraries.

The proposals have been judged by a panel of art critics and curators, and the selected artist, Tania Kovats, was announced on 16 June 2008. Work has begun on the creation of Kovats'  TREE artwork and the completed canopy will be unveiled on 12 February 2009, the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth.

The judges

  • Sharon Ament, director of Public Engagement Group, Natural History Museum.
  • Richard Cork, independent art critic.
  • Siân Ede, Arts director of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
  • Richard Fortey, Fellow of the Royal Society of London, President of the Geological Society of Great Britain and Natural History Museum research associate.
  • Judith King, contemporary art curator, English Heritage contemporary art programme.
  • Judith Nesbitt, chief curator, Tate Britain.
  • Sunand Prasad, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
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