Arts·Q with Tom Power
The famous wildlife painter joins Q’s Tom Power to discuss how critics have often dismissed his work.
The famous wildlife painter joins Q’s Tom Power to discuss how critics have often dismissed his work
CBC Arts · Posted: Nov 07, 2025 1:55 PM EST | Last Updated: November 7
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Robert Bateman is one of Canada’s most famous wildlife painters. (Submitted by Robert Bateman)
A new documentary shines light on the early years of the hugely successful Canadian wildlife painter Robert Bateman. The Art of Adventure peels back the layers of how the artist fell deeply in love with the natural world and launched a lifelong fight to protect it.
Yet critics often dismiss Bateman’s art. He has received the Order of Canada, but has never been invited to show at the National Gallery of Canada. At 95, Bateman looks back with Tom Power on an unusually artistic career which has been both celebrated and misunderstood by his home country.
LISTEN | Robert Bateman’s full interview with Tom Power:
28:40Robert Bateman is one of Canada’s most misunderstood artists
The full interview with Robert Bateman is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts.
Interview with Robert Bateman produced by Catherine Stockhausen.