PROJECT
| PROJECT |
| The Asian Elephant is an endangered species and their numbers continue to decline. Many efforts are being made to help the existing populations of these incredible creatures, and the Elephants & Mahouts photographic project is one such. The project, intended to span at least five years, will be an evolving collection of portraiture depicting the elephants and the unique and complex relationship they have with their Mahouts (owner/keepers). The initial body of work is augmented to document new arrivals - newly rescued elephants and new births - and to provide a continuous visual record of the evolving elephant communities. The project is planned as both an educational tool and as a fundraising vehicle to provide ongoing support for the elephants. Elephant Series The initial series documents each of the 28 elephants currently residing at the GTAEF elephant camps. The ‘Elephant’ series is intended to capture the unique physical characteristics of each elephant, much as one would do in portrait work with people. Mahout Series Each mahout chose howthey wanted to be photographed with their elephant. The images powerfully capture the bond between the Mahout and their Elephant. Each series will be available in a limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist. Also in planning is a series of international gallery showings and a fine art book featuring the images. All proceeds go to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Where Asian Elephants are found predominantly in Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, with very small populations as far away as Bhutan. The elephants photographed in this series live in Chiang Rai at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation www.helpingelephants.org in a heavily jungled part of Northern Thailand known as the Golden Triangle, the crossroads of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. John Roberts, Director of Elephants, and his team beetle from from camp to camp on their motorbikes, ensuring all runs smoothly. Acknowledgements William E. Heinecke, CEO of the Minor Group (Thailand) and Chairman of GTAEF; to John Roberts, Director of Elephants, GTAEF; and to the Anantara and Four Seasons hotels in their support of the project. Additional thanks go to Marion Walsh, Anantara Group, the Four Seasons Thailand management team for their support. Nikon who are featuring the elephant project on their Nikon USA website and Lowepro who have honoured the elephant work as one of their 2011 Loweprofessionals. And of course, lastly but not least to the elephants and mahouts! Image: Meena, who was 4 years old (2009) |
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