Artist Kevin Van Braak has depicted the horrors of the ivory trade in an unflinching fashion with this sculpture of a poached elephant.
Designed for the fifth edition of the Lustwarande festival in Tilburg, Netherlands, this wooden elephant sculpture, simply titled 'Elephant,' depicts a deceased elephant lying on the ground with its tusks cut off. This poached elephant sculpture certainly fits in with this year's festival them of 'Rapture and Pain,' and is meant to also act as a commentary on society's both active and passive support of the poaching trade.
The life-sized sculpture was made entirely out of teak wood in collaboration with Indonesian wood carvers. This emotionally charged and bleak sculpture's location in a picturesque outdoor park only further adds to its striking and somber feel.
What's Driving This Trend
- Anti-poaching Awareness
- The poached elephant sculpture signifies the importance and growing awareness of anti-poaching efforts through artistic expression.
- Sustainability Awareness
- The use of teak wood in the sculpture by Indonesian wood carvers brings attention to responsible sourcing in the woodworking industry.
- Social Commentary Art
- Works of art, such as the poached elephant sculpture, provide a unique opportunity to create impactful social commentary on pressing issues.
Who This Affects Most
- Art
- The art industry can capitalize on the growing interest in art as a vehicle for social commentary and awareness.
- Woodworking
- The woodworking industry has the opportunity to adopt sustainable and ethical practices in material sourcing and production.
- Wildlife Conservation
- The significance of the poached elephant sculpture provides an opportunity for the wildlife conservation industry to increase awareness and support for anti-poaching efforts.
