Stephen Ellcock curates a virtual museum of art. Ark, likewise, is a precious trove of words and illustrations honoring the planet's flora and fauna. Arranged by kingdom, this sumptuous work showcases fungi, plants, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds, and mammals. Two-page spreads highlight particular groups or families. The collection spans time periods and art forms, such as watercolors, wood block prints, and photographs. Microscope images alternate with paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Georgia O'Keeffe; a historical photo of sequoias and a Japanese engraving of fireflies evoke magical spaces. Striking colors and contrasting styles abound. Occasional essays by Robert Macfarlane, Helen Scales et al. apply wisdom from literature and science. Novelist Sarah Perry admits that she no longer reads flood myths literally yet believes the instinct to protect nature is innate. Nonetheless, the biblical story of Noah's Ark provides the allegorical basis for Ellcock's project.
In a coda, Ellcock warns of "impending disaster": "If we fail to act... oblivion beckons." Ark pairs a strong environmental conscience with a visually stunning "celebration of the richness of life." --Rebecca Foster, freelance reviewer, proofreader, and blogger at Bookish Beck