Untamed artists:
Art for chimps
Press release October 2008
With the official opening of the Tears of Leaves art exhibition at Monarto Zoo on Sunday October 5th Patrick Hedges and Leigh Rust made a significant step forward in terms of educating people to the issues faced in the chimp population. Their evocative works captured the imaginations of the 3000 strong crowd who had turned up to see the new chimpanzee habitat. On hand to open the show was Dr Jane Goodall who was deeply moved by the powerful works.
Jane acknowledged the pair for their commitment on conservation at her public lecture at Adelaide Town Hall the following night. Patrick was called up on stage alongside Dr Carla Litchfield, President of the Australiasian Primate Society, and Chris West, director of Zoos South Australia, as she went on to say "These people are making a difference, now stand up those of you who want to make a difference".
With the endorsement of Jane Goodall and her colleagues the pair will continue to raise awareness to the plight of the great apes for a long time to come. "We've got plenty of projects in the pipeline for the Untamed Artist Network", promises founder Leigh Rust. "2009 will be even bigger than this year. We look forward to working with the dedicated staff at Monarto to help get the message heard".
The exhibition will run until the 19th of December 2009. Patrick will be demonstrating throughout the show. More details will be announced shortly.
Works are available for purchase at the Monarto Zoo visitor centre and here on the website.
Press release August 2008
There is sure to be plenty of primate pandemonium this October as the Untamed artists launch a major art exhibition at South Australia's Monarto Zoo to coincide with the opening of the zoo's new chimpanzee habitat.
South Australian Patrick Hedges and Victorian Leigh Rust have teamed up with the zoo alongside Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone to create a series of powerful and moving portrayals
of our closest primate cousins which will go on display from October 4th. These works will be sold to raise funds for the Zoo and Tacugama Sanctuary to go toward the welfare of the animals.
“We're working toward a series of about 30 new works for the show. We aim to raise upward of $10,000 for each facility” Leigh says. “The rapid decline in numbers of the great apes is upsetting but we hope through education and stimulation we can get people to realize just what is going on and help turn the tide” As founding members of the Untamed Artist Network they use their work to help with conservation of wildlife. “For me art isn't just about creating a pretty picture, it's about storytelling. They say a picture paints a thousand words. I sincerely believe that.”
A prime example of this storytelling in action is seen in Escaping the fires, one of the more confronting works in the series. Showing two chimps surrounded by thick smoke, it creates an evocative portrayal of the species not often seen. Habitat destruction is one of the major problems faced by great apes across the world and this work captures that in a subtle and concise manner.
Patrick uses his work in the same way. “I'm passionate about conservation and believe wildlife matters. It's my desire that my work inform people about wildlife and the challenges ahead in a positive way”. Having lived in Africa during his formative years his connection to the animals has always been strong. This shows in his work.
Below in his work Bruno he captures a character that speaks to everyone on their own terms. His sensitivity to the subject is reflected in the multi faceted expression of the large alpha male chimp as he reaches his hand out to the viewer.
The pair are working closely with Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone after being inspired by a documentary on the facility by naturalist Lyndal Davies. After seeing the problems faced by the staff at the sanctuary on a regular basis and watching them rise to the challenge. The time had come for the artists to do the same. By collaborating on the project from the outset both artists have found themselves creating some of the most vital and powerful works of their careers.
With the full support of Monarto Zoo things are shaping up nicely, promising to give viewers a special treat. With the zoo recognizing the unique opportunity presented to them they are enthusiastic about the upcoming show, which will run through to the end of the year.
To find out more about the artists and the beneficiaries please check out the following websites
http://www.patrickhedges.com
http://www.leighrust.com
http://www.tacugama.com
http://www.zoossa.com.au
