Mr Fox - A True British Native

Mr Fox – A True British Native Gavin J Rogers (2009)

On Show at Derby Museum and Art Gallery 9th-22nd June 2009.

Meet the foxes...

The Red Fox is the only member of the dog family who is native to the British Isles. For centuries they have had to adapt their existence as a result of mankind’s evolution to the modern world.

The relationship between man and fox has always been a stormy one – with foxes being hunted for food, fur, pest control and even for sport. From young we are taught through many children’s stories that the fox is a sly, cunning character always up to no good. In fact, the fox is a very intelligent, resourceful and adaptable mammal.

In Britain the native red fox species hasn’t changed much over the past 2000 years, and has managed to maintain a steady population. In contrast the progression of humans has been exponential. Man has learnt to ‘invent and explore their way’ to the modern world as we know it.

In truth, the human population has progressed so much, that now man has become ‘reliant on their own inventions’ – slowly wiping out the natural template of ‘the survival of the fittest’. Now in the human population the weak are also surviving and with the help of advancing technologies and medicine, genetic disorders and disease are being passed on to future generations.

Be it: an ironic mockery of British history/evolution, the fox’s view of mankind, or a humorous celebration of our great British red fox…

…Who is undoubtedly the ‘True British Native’…?.

Copyright - Gavin J R (2009)