THE LIONS HAVE LANDED

A pride of lions with celebrity credentials has taken centre stage across London, celebrating the iconic species through an exceptional street art exhibition.

Tusk is proud to announce the launch of the Tusk Lion Trail, a global art installation in support of African conservation. Following the huge success and popularity of the Tusk Rhino Trail in 2018, the British charity has launched 47 life-sized lion sculptures onto the streets in iconic locations worldwide including a number of UK cities (London, Edinburgh and Bristol), The Hamptons – New York, Sydney, Wellington and Nairobi. The artworks will be on display for the public to enjoy until the end of September 2021.

The population of African lions is estimated to have declined by as much as 50% over the last 25 years. There are now fewer wild lions left in the world than rhinos. Each sculpture will highlight the magnificence of lions, threats to their existence and the people and solutions working for their survival – raising awareness for conservation efforts across the world.

Tusk has once again teamed up with Curator Chris Westbrook who has brought together a spectacular array of talented artists from the world of art, design, film, theatre and comedy, to release a phenomenal Pride of Lion sculptures across the world.

Internationally recognised faces including Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood; Dire Straits bassist, John Illsley; fine art photographer, David Yarrow; artists Jake Chapman, Gavin Turk and David Mach; rugby legend Richie McCaw; American fashion designer Donna Karan, and British actors Mathew Horne, Noel Fielding and John Cleese have all collaborated to craft their own unique pieces of art. Each lion sculpture has been generously sponsored by a Tusk partner or supporter.

London will be home to a pride of 27 individually curated life-sized lion sculptures which have been designed or painted by the following talent and can be found at iconic landmarks around the capital. The installation will encourage visitors to follow the ‘trails’ via easy-to-use physical and digital maps, allowing them to ‘collect’ lions as they go. This fun, interactive experience is the perfect activity for families. Maps can be found at tuskliontrail.com.

1. Ronnie Wood | Not Lying Lion | Piccadilly Circus

   • Sponsored by DHL

2. Noel Fielding | A Hard Mane is Gonna Fall | Piccadilly Circus

   • Sponsored by Nick Maughan Foundation

3. John Cleese and Jen Wade | Pilgrim | Trafalgar Square, North West Terrace

   • Sponsored by Lion Trust

4. David Mach | Signs of the Times | Piccadilly Circus

   • Sponsored by Emso

5. David Yarrow | The Kings of Lion | Royal Exchange

   • Sponsored by Genesis Imaging

6. George Morton-Clark | Suffering Saviour | Cecil Court

   • Sponsored by Richard Carter

7. Adam Dant | London Pride | Covent Garden

   • Sponsored by Bowmark Capital

8. Glen Baxter | English King | Glasshouse Street

   • Sponsored by Capital.com

9. Nick Gentry | Wild Roots | St Martins in the Field – Crypt

   • Sponsored by BlackRock

10. Gerry McGovern | Long Live The Lion | Prince’s Arcade

    • Sponsored by Land Rover

11. Mathew Horne | Golden Wonder | Carnaby Street

    • Sponsored by Nick Maughan Foundation

12. Patrick Hughes | Manebow | Burlington Arcade

    • Sponsored by Capricorn Private Investments

13. John Illsley | Big Blue | Glass House Street

    • Sponsored by Currency.com

14. Sara Shamma | Ripping / Cuddling | Leicester Street, Leicester Square

    • Sponsored by Animal Friends

15. Hannah Shergold | Brian The Lion | St James’s Churchyard

    • Sponsored by Fladgate LLP

16. Rob & Nick Carter | Rose Lion, 2021| Burlington Arcade

    • Sponsored by Justerini & Brooks

17. Jake Chapman | Why Oh Why Oh Why | Leicester Square West

    • Sponsored by Orchard Global Asset Management

18. Ian Davenport | Kamuro | St James’s Churchyard

    • Sponsored by Mishcon de Reya

19. Helen Downie | Nathan | St James’s Churchyard

    • Sponsored by Boodle Hatfield

20. Michael Foreman | Untitled | St James’s Market

    • Sponsored by Nick Maughan Foundation

21. Dr Handa Harusha | Azami | Waterloo Place

    • Sponsored by ISPS Handa

22. Lee Mack | Three Shirts On A Lion | Royal Exchange

    • Sponsored by Deutsche Bank

23. Paul Onditi | Sirkon | Covent Garden

    • Sponsored by Ninety One

24. Mauro Peruccheti | Limited Edition | The Ritz

    • Sponsored by DP World

25. Ray Richardson | The Return of the Urban Casual | Waterloo Place

    • Sponsored by Satis Asset Management

26. Gavin Turk | Blue Lion, 2021 | St Martins in the Field – Crypt

    • Sponsored by Vodafone

27. Sally Wood with Jess Power | Protect Me | Carnaby Street

    •  Sponsored by DP World

DHL is the global lead partner for the Tusk Lion Trail, which is co-sponsored by ISPS Handa. The Trail in The Hamptons and New York is organised in partnership with the African Community and Conservation Foundation (ACCF).

Roy Hughes Executive Vice President of Network Operations for Europe at DHL said; “We are proud sponsors of the Tusk Lion Trail 2021, managing the safe transportation and logistics of these fantastic creations has been an honour. To now see them lining the streets of iconic locations across the globe for the masses to see ahead of the auction fills us with pride.”

Following the interactive sculpture exhibition, the unique works of art that have been displayed across the UK will then be auctioned in London by leading global auction house Bonhams, on November 9th. The US lion sculptures will be auctioned at an event held in conjunction with ACCF at The Wölffer Estate in The Hamptons, on August 27th. Three years ago, Tusk raised £750,000 with its Rhino Trail and is hoping to surpass this total by taking the art installation global. Funds raised at the auction and through public donations will support the work of Tusk and its partners in protecting species and empowering communities across Africa.

www.tuskliontrail.com