New show to raise money for International Animal Rescue
The show, in partnership with charity International Animal Rescue (IAR), sees contemporary mixed media artist Dan Pearce setting aside his iconic portraits to create a new wildlife series, focusing on the beauty of animals whose existence is being challenged by mankind.
Four of the pieces feature the closest relatives of humankind – majestic Apes – a decision which Dan hopes will alert people to how rapidly they are heading towards extinction. Both the Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans feature in the series, with the Sumatran being the second most endangered ape in the world with an alarming 14,600 individuals remaining. Both species of Orangutan are now considered ‘critically endangered’ as hunting, killing, rapid logging of rainforests and harvesting of palm oil is destroying their habitats.
The collection will also feature animals including African Lions, Grevy’s Zebra, Snow Leopard, Siberian Tiger, Asian Elephant, Giant Panda and ‘Sudan’ the last of the Northern White Rhinos. Each of the originals will be sold for £1995 with 20% of each purchase donated to International Animal Rescue.
Dan’s iconic style using spray paint, aluminium and resin is evident in this animal series, staying true to his love of colour and mixed media. However, he has introduced the use of shattered glass and glass shards into the artwork to send out a strong message to tragically echo the fragile future of these incredible animals.
He said, “The process was experimental, defining a process on each animal I created. I built up the glass layers, added spray paint, inks and set the mixed media in place using resin, as well as introducing materials like diamond dust and gold leaf.”
In addition to the wildlife artworks, Dan has also painstakingly created 20 Endangered champagne bottles with incredible intricacy, worth £95 each. These bottles feature Orangutans, Pandas, Lions and Elephants, and will be given as a complimentary gift with every original piece purchased. They can also be bought separately.
Founded in 1989, International Animal Rescue is an incredible UK based charity close to Dan’s heart dedicated to saving animals from suffering around the world. Its primary focus is to save critically endangered Orangutans from extinction and to protect the rainforests they live in.
IAR’s dedicated team rescues and rehabilitates baby and adult Orangutans, with the goal always to release them back into their natural habitat. However, any animals that can’t fend for themselves are given a permanent home at IAR’s rescue centre in Borneo.
Dan said, “I’ve always enjoyed painting iconic portraits but for 2018 I wanted to set myself a new challenge. I am a huge wildlife fan and was really influenced by Blue Planet II which inspired me to create this new wildlife series.
“With a new challenge came a new process and new materials. I learned to hand cut glass to help define the shape of the animal and smash glass to give it a texture by adding the shards.”
The exhibition will be running for two weeks at Zebra One Gallery in Hampstead.
The launch night on 27th June will be a private view and the exhibition will be open to the public from 28th June.
