On 2 February, a herd of 125 wildly colourful, life-sized rhino and rhino calf sculptures, all adored with one-off designs by renowned contemporary and urban artists, descended on the streets of Sydney and regional NSW. On Wednesday 14 May, the rhinos are set to start the next part of their mission at a special fundraising auction at The Star in Pyrmont – all for a good cause.
The colourful cavalcade of rhinos forms part of a six week long, large-scale public art exhibition designed to raise vital funds for Taronga Zoo‘s rhino breeding and conservation program, as well as increase awareness of the escalating threat which faces the world’s dwindling rhino population. While rhinos might look tough, the Black Rhino population has decreased by 97.6% since 1960 and they remain critically endangered.
The Taronga Zoo Wild! Rhinos project has brought together a diverse selection of noted artists, designers and school students who have used their considerable artistic talents to customise each sculpture and help promote the cause of rhino conservation.
Featured artists include iconic Australian artist Ken Done, leading fashion designer Camille Franks, Archibald, Sulman and Dobell Prize winner Kevin Connor, artistic queen of found object Jane Gillings, as well as renowned and internationally recognised Australian street artists, such as Numskull and Beastman.
The auction provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to purchase original artworks from these leading Australian artists, while contributing much-needed funds to rhino conservation. MC for the night, Channel 7’s Simon Reeve (Sunrise, Million Dollar Minute), will preside over this highly anticipated affair, which will feature a who’s who of media personalities, A-list stars, art collectors, Wild! Rhino artists and philanthropists. The auction itself will be conducted by Anne Phillips, Director of Art Market Works.
Taronga Wild! Rhinos Auction
Wednesday 14 May, 2014 at 6.30pm
The Marquee, The Star, Sydney
