A bronze sculpture of the last remaining male northern white rhino, by artist Camilla Le May, is assisting in securing the future of endangered species by enabling the purchase of vital laboratory equipment. In a boost to her campaign, the bronze was shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Award (DSWAY).
Camilla spent several months sculpting Sudan from life on The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, alongside referencing archive images of him in his prime, from the 1980’s. The first bronze edition of 12 raised $3,000 at the Wild Aid Charity Gala auction in California and this is supplemented with an additional $260 from sales of Camilla’s silver jewellery. These funds are being used to purchase a portable incubator, which is needed for a laboratory on Ol Pejeta. In collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the lab is to be developed to assist in reproduction of critically endangered species, including that of the northern white rhino.
Camilla spent several months sculpting Sudan from life. Image copyright: Thomas Rowell.
Over the last 3 years Camilla has focused on raising funds through her sculptures for conservation efforts in Kenya, mainly for rhinos, achieving $43,000. She says: “It is enormously rewarding to be able to contribute back to the wildlife that my sculptures and my inspiration depend on and to show my appreciation for the access allowed to me.” Apart from raising funds, her aim is to preserve the memory of Sudan and the northern white rhinos, in bronze and to raise awareness of their plight. Fascinated by the symbiotic relationship she observed between Sudan and many other small animals, she decided to include an oxpecker, who she often saw with Sudan: “..the flighting bird highlights the impact of extinction of a mega herbivore on a larger ecosystem and symbolizes the ‘soul’s’ departure, given that the elderly Sudan (and potentially his species’) days are numbered.”
Measuring Sudan’s tail with callipers. Copyright: Camilla Le May
In her blog, Camilla thanks those who have helped her: “Numerous people have assisted in this project, without them, it would not have been possible. I am enormously grateful.” She names the “The northern white rhino team, who were incredibly long suffering and patient and who taught me so much about rhinos, Ol Pejeta for generously granting me access to Sudan and to stay on site in my tent and various experts who saw and critiqued the work.
Inspection! Copyright: Camilla Le May
If there is sufficient interest, Camilla will produce a smaller version in a bronze resin limited edition, to boost fund raising efforts. Should any of our supporters like any further information please contact: camillalemay@gmail.com.
Sudan is now exhibited at the Rountree Tryon Galleries, London and will be part of their Christmas Africa exhibition.
Link to Camilla’s Blog for more information on the project & photos: http://www.camillalemay.com/blog/