PAST EXHIBITIONS
END OF IVORY
Christie's, Los Angeles
Group Show
Opens:10am Wednesday 23 October
23rd -25th October 2019
336 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills
In dedication to the legacy of elephant conservation that David Shepherd pioneered, the passion and focus of this noble cause to defend the honour of these gentle giants continues. Following the success of the Christies show in 2017, the ambassador artists of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation will be collaborating to create another powerful body of work.
In the Palm of the Dragon (Unique Bronze LHW 1000mm 310mm 250mm)
"The destiny of the elephant is entirely in one person's hands, the president of China" Andrea Costra (Wildleaks: The Ivory Game)
As one of the largest black markets for illegal ivory being smuggled and sold under the guise of an annual legal quota, the decision to ban all Ivory trade completely will have the potential ripple effect to greatly hinder any immediate movement of ivory stockpiles throughout China. This will, in turn, assist elephant populations to recover as poaching becomes riskier for syndicates to capitalise on.
Matriarch (Unique Bronze LHW 200mm 225mm 160mm)
Times are tough for the ancient mothers of the savannah. Poaching, climate change, habitat loss, human confrontation and development and have all made the future of elephant generations more precarious. These are however the tusked symbols of wisdom, patience and resilience. As long as we make space for them, the next generation will be there.
Remover of Obstacles (Unique Bronze LHW 200mm 200mm 160mm)
The ancient icon of Ganesha has been re-imagined to respond to the immediate threat the ivory trade has on the elephant species. Multiple limbs suggest different facets of the oppression that is apparent in the 21st Century. The right-hand, as in the ancient pose still holds an axe, to cut off bonds of attachment, whilst the left holds a bolt cutter, to liberate captive and abused animals. The lower right-hand gestures for peace and the poachers to stop, whilst the lower-left palm offers the broken tusk as a token of the unnecessary sacrifices elephants have made to our superficial materialism. The ladder signifies the endless desire of men as it rises out of the strewn tusks of past generations. A relic of a future time, the remover of obstacles will prevail and inspire.
Emily.Summers@davidshepherd.org
REMEMBERING LIONS
Royal Geographic Society, London
Book launch and Group Fundraiser
17 October 2019
Over 600 people attended our launch of Remembering Lions at The Royal Geographical Society, in a night of superlatives. That's the most we've ever had attend a launch, the auction raised the most we ever raised, the books we had there sold out and the book signing took an hour! But we got there and I am stunned and thrilled to reveal that since official publication on Monday, which is also when the exhibition opened, we've raised £100,000 for lion conservation.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to our speakers Brent Stapelkamp and Jonathan & Angela Scott, our auctioneer James Lewis and also to our amazing team of volunteers led by the heroic Victoria Petley who did an incredible job. Thank you also to everyone who came, thank you to everyone who travelled from all corners of the globe, thank you to the photographers who came to show their support, thank you to the wider photographers who donated their work, thank you to everyone who bought a book, bag, item of jewellery, thank you to everyone who entered the raffle, to everyone who supported the auction, thank you to Karen L Rowe and Simon Max Bannister for their spectacular art, to Nomad Tanzania, The Bushcamp Company, Thula-Thula private game reserve, Umfolozi / hluhluwe Game Reserve, Mulberry Mongoose, Elephant Gin, nakedwines.com, Amarula UK, Thyme.
Written by Margot Raggett
"Winged Warrior" Sold on Auction for GBP 4600
Unique Bronze Cast
LHW 200mm x 500mm x 120mm
THE CALLING
Artbay, Queenstown
Solo Show
12 December 2019 opening 5pm
until 11 January 2020
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the great lakes and snowy mountains, the pieces are inspired by the birds that define this landscape. Featuring his unique bronze casting technique as well as experimental integration with distressed wood and Corten steel to capture the texture and movement of the birds, the narrative of a defiant resilience continues through the artist’s response to the environmental crisis.
Previous: 24 February, 2018
TOTEM
EBONY BORDEAUX HOUSE, FRANSCHHOEK
SOLO SHOW
Since the earliest days, we have revered the place and power of animals.
The mythological premise that through devotion, a trust is formed, through gratitude, prosperity counted upon, through story, survival and growth.
The animals are more than the skins we wear and the food we eat,
they are the creative measure of stature and prowess, a mirror to our ambitions and shortfalls. They call ceaselessly to the wondrous celestial story of life. To break our regard for these wild spirits is in some profound way to disrespect our own wildness. Why do we feel afraid and alone when we are the keepers of the garden and its wonders?
Contact Email: marc@ebonycurated.com
Click on image for full catalogue
Previous: November 3, 2017
THE ART OF SURVIVAL
Christie's King Street Gallery, London SW1
Group Show
This year sees the launch of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s exciting new Art Ambassadors Programme through a stunning exhibition of original works at Christie’s King Street Gallery in central London. Drawing on the Foundation’s rich art heritage we have invited seven hugely talented artists to be part of the charity’s mission to raise awareness and funds to save wildlife through highly visual and emotive media. All pieces will be for sale with proceeds supporting DSWF’s conservation work to protect endangered wildlife.
Each artist is generously donating one work to the live auction at DSWF’s spectacular annual Friday November 10th 2017.
50% of the proceeds from the sale of each original piece will go directly to support the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation funding vital conservation initiatives across Africa and Asia.
Our Art Ambassadors for this first year are:
Simon Max Bannister, sculptor (b.1982 – South Africa)
Domenica de Ferranti, sculptor (b.1986 – London)
David Filer, graphite pencil artist (b.1986 – Zimbabwe/South Africa)
Emily Lamb, painter (b.1985 – Africa and Cornwall)
Mandy Shepherd, painter (b.1960 – England)
James Kydd photographer (b. 1977 – South Africa)
Contact Telephone: 01483 272323
Contact Email: shauna.rees@davidshepherd.org
GENERAL INTEREST
Tai Tapu Falcon Tower Proposal
Maquette for 6m Steel Sculpture
Open to Enquiry
Emulating a rock ledge, a transferrable nest box will slot into the sculpture. Working with the NZ Raptor Trust, a “hack release” will involve the feeding of captive-reared falcons for a couple of weeks in a consistent manner with a visual and textural feeding platform. After a little while, the box can be opened, with consistent timed meals on the same platform, the birds should return regularly and then associate with the area.
Sculpture for Conservation
Collaborative with DOC and Kea Conservation Trust
Ongoing
With thanks to the permission of Randall Aspinall from Mt Aspiring Station, the totem-like metal artwork aims to create environmental awareness for the endangered charismatic mountain parrot.
The idea was first considered after visiting the glacier and not hearing or seeing any of the renowned Kea. After discussion with DOC and the Kea Conservation Trust, he sculpted the piece with the vision of it being directly within the landscape and realm of the beautiful birds.
The piece is 1.8m high and appears on the early part of the trail. With signage and a donation box integrated into the plinth, Bannister hopes visitors to the reserve can help with what the Kea Conservation Trust and DOC are doing for the few remaining pairs.
Over NZ$ 6000 has been donated to the Kea Conservation Trust so far through commissions of further versions of this limited edition.
Artwork inspires reality
Eagle Owlets
10 October 2019
A year after a couple based in Stellenbosch, South Africa commissioned a family of Eagle Owls made from bronze inspired by a pair that visited them frequently, a new generation has made its appearance.