Animal, an independent creative agency, invited me to contribute to their "Species" project - a collective showcase of 101 artists from around the world, officially sponsored by National Geographic (Nat Geo Wild India). "Species" brought together illustrators, painters, graphic designers, graffiti artists, sculptors, etc., to pay tribute to the beauty of the animal kingdom, as each artist chose the creature closest to them and designed a version of the Animal logo with that creature and their creative style in mind. Participating artists showcased the diverse talents of the USA, England, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Chile, Brazil, Guatemala, Russia, El Salvador, Argentina, Thailand, Turkey, Sweden, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Romania, Belarus, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, the Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, India....and I was the only Canadian. The resulting collection was exhibited at the Bakheda in New Delhi, India, from March 7th to the 9th, 2014, and published as a limited edition coffee table book.
I chose the rhino. Inspired by the official extinction of the Western Black Rhino, my piece is in direct contrast to the rest of the vivid and uplifting "Species" collection. Focusing on emotion from a different angle, my piece presents the rhino in a whimsical though sorrowful fashion. It is drawn entirely with a basic 2HB pencil as part of a socio-environmental message against the wasteful desires of humanity which have threatened the natural livelihood of this earth's many majestic creatures, a message that has become the core concept behind my "Grey Fauna" collection of animal portraiture.
The Piece
At The Show
photos courtesy of Animal.
In The Book
Learn more about Animal and see all 101 "Species" works here.
