I made this piece after seeing photos of Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of Jimmy John's, killing endangered animals on safari in Africa. I was enraged and disgusted! I'm happy I've never eaten at a Jimmy Johns and after this I never will. Thanks for bringing my attention to this Lisa. The company that is responsible for these killing "adventures" is Johan Calitz Safaris. I can't stand to look at those pictures, they're just vile.
My mother's family was from a rural part of Vietnam. My grandfather was a hunter and both my mom and grandmother have done their share of slaughtering chickens, fish and I think pigs and goats. I'm an omnivore so I don't want to step on a soapbox and pass judgment on the killing of animals. But I'm 100% against animal cruelty and senseless acts like this. It's just a pure ego stroke, lacking in any compassion or consideration. You want to shoot something get a camera!
I wanted to make something beautiful and sad. I feel his loneliness.
These closeup photos aren't as crisp as I'd like. It's hard to see but all 4 legs and the trunk are separated. This is a really delicate piece, I hope it survives the trip to Milan! I had a hard time getting good photos of this piece with my 17-55mm lens. I think I need to add a 100mm Macro lens to my arsenal of gear.
The Last Elephant 2012
carved carpenter's pencil (graphite & wood)
5 1/4"h x 5/8"w x 1/4"d (13.3cm x 1.6cm x .6cm)
Posts
23 comments:
That's amazing and beautiful! You're so talented and it's even better that you use your art to raise awareness as well.
A true artist indeed!
that shadow!
Great elephant.
The blue paint of the carpenters pencil goes well with the shape and shadow.
The scale is wonderful.
Will look great lit and against a gallery wall......wish I could go to Milan.
Love this piece and your message. Visited the safari site you linked and was absolutely appalled. I hope your work continues to spread a positive message!
does this happen to be for sale? i am interested.
Thanks everyone!
@Tim The piece is $800USD and will be for sale at my show in Milan. You can contact Patricia Armocida at the gallery:
galleriapatriciaarmocida@gmail.com
your family slaughtered animals so you could eat. Trophy hunting is vile, senseless slaughter. a waste of precious life. Your parents wasted nothing when they slaughtered an animal.
And your elephant is wonderful!
Just beautiful. An amazing response to senseless killing. Well done, and good luck in Milan.
This is really incredible.
wow! you are incredible! if you dont mind, i've posted your blog and photo on my blog. (blog.awesomenessoftheday.com)
Beautiful art and awareness!
The pencil carving is amazing! I have never eaten at Jimmy Johns and now I never will.
I will never use an animal....but for what God intended....love and peace to all, including our best friends.
Me, Mary from the branchonthebeadtree
I feel your sadness about all this non-sense cruelty. This elephant is beautiful, and i hope it survives for a long time, along with the story behind it. Thanks for making beautiful art!!!
Exquisite, endearing, intricate & provocative - just wonderful!
A 100mm macro lens will make your photography life much easier and even more revealing. :-)
absolutely incredible.
I posted about you, if you like to check here is the link.
http://sedefuzer.com/the-pleasure-of-tiny-things-kucuk-seylerden-keyif-almak/
I appreciate your sensitivity and your wonderful art. Keep up the good work!
Thank you everyone! Sorry it's taking so long for me to reply... I need a clone!
John- I'm getting a 100mm macro next week! Excited to try it out!
Amazing! You're incredibly talented.
... And I've actually posted about your work on my blog here - http://jimmybuffalo.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/mind-bending-monday-no-7/
I hope you don't mind! Your work is really amazing.
Thank you for the post Thea!
Spectacular shots you have here, and all of them are just admirable! Would you mind telling me where you got those shots? I’ve been planning to go to Addo Elephant National Park because I was planning to take photos of an elephant. They are the only kind of animal that I love because they are so gentle and tender, and they deserve to be preserved and protected.
Mariah Mosley
Post a Comment