The Taronga Wild! Rhinos project is a Taronga Conservation Society initiative that will bring together businesses, artists and schools to create a spectacular sculpture trail from the Sydney Harbour foreshore through the Blue Mountains to Dubbo and the Central West region of NSW, raising awareness of the plight of the rhino, and of Taronga’s conservation efforts.
As a result of years of poaching and habitat destruction, three out of five species of rhinoceros’ are endangered worldwide. Businesses, community groups, charities, education establishments and individuals are invited to sponsor a blank rhino sculpture, which will be decorated, with proceeds going towards Taronga Zoo’s Black Rhino breeding program and in-situ conservation projects.
All are welcome to submit designs, and schools will able to sponsor and decorate their own rhino calf sculptures. Up to 75 rhinos will go on display around Sydney and Dubbo between February and May 2014, with all sculptures up for auction following the event, and commissioned artists receiving $1000 for their efforts.
The call out to artists for submissions is now open, with submissions closing August 23, 2013. See the Taronga Wild! Rhinos website for more details and submissions forms. Artists will be commissioned in late October.
