ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

Print dimensions: 10x12”

Mounted dimensions: 34.5 x 40cm

Number in print run: only 25 will be made

Medium of original artwork: coloured pencil

This is an award-winning piece and the original has sold.

Each limited edition print comes with its own certificate of authenticity and is double mounted, grey inner mount and white outer mount. Each print is packaged with extreme care using eco-friendly materials.

ARTWORK ORIGINATION

As an enthusiastic conservationist, I often visit zoos to continue my learning of various species and observe their behaviour, before going home and depicting them in pencil.

This particular individual lives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and I snapped this photo just after their lunch-time snack. When we initially arrived at the enclosure, the individuals were huddled together having a snooze in the summer sunshine. When keepers entered with snacks of fruit and vegetables they all leapt to life (literally!). Once this individual had had its’ fair share it sat atop this tree trunk, as if watching over the rest of its conspiracy (the collective noun for a group of lemurs). Once they had also finished munching, it jumped down and joined them in their afternoon grooming session before returning to soaking up the rays.

Not long after my visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I was made aware of the UK Coloured Pencil Society’s competition to take part in their 20th Anniversary Gala exhibition. I knew immediately that this was the photo I wanted to use as a reference for my entry. I was thrilled to be selected for the exhibition and have the drawing on show at the Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf on the Southbank in London. This was my first ever exhibition event as an artist and it was truly an honour to have my work displayed alongside so many talented and already established artists.

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST

This artwork will always have a special place in my heart. It was a piece that brought me many firsts as an artist. It was the first time I used my own photo as a reference and I was so thrilled with the composition that I didn’t alter it at all when reproducing in pencil. Having entered into the UKCPS Gala competition, it got me into my first ever physical exhibition. It was also the first time I had entered any such competition too so that was doubly exciting. Finally, in November 2021, I entered the drawing in LightSpaceTime Gallery’s Annual Nature competition and it won second place in the ‘Painting and Other Media’ category which in turn placed me third place overall winner. These are my first awards for my artwork and to have my skill and passion for wildlife recognised so early into my career is very rewarding and motivating.

SPECIES CONSERVATION STORY

Ring tailed lemur: Lemur catta | Order: Primate | Family: Lemuridae

Lemurs are indigenous to Madagascar. They arrived on the island 40 million years ago, however today 98% of lemur species and sub-species face extinction within the next 20-30 years. Their main threats are habitat destruction and fragmentation as a result of population growth. Malagasy people rely on subsistence farming and deforest land to grow crops, produce charcoal or house illegal logging.

Unlike many species, male and female lemurs are very difficult to distinguish as they have few differences in size or colour. As a highly social creature, ring-tailed lemurs live in groups (known as conspiracies) of up to 30 individuals. In Latin, the word lemur translates to ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit of the dead’ which is believed to be derived from the lemurs vocal behaviour. Consequently the scientific name for the ring-tailed lemur translates as ‘ghost cat’.

SPECIES SYMBOLISM

Artist: “I find symbolism to be an interesting concept and therefore enjoy learning about what each animal species represents. I see symbolism to be a perfect way to bring the natural world into our homes and connect on a deeper level with the species who share the planet with us.”

The lack of differentiation between the male and female sex in lemurs symbolises balance, unity and equal focus on the masculine and feminine energies.

The Malagasy people believe that lemurs have souls and that people should always be kind to lemurs, otherwise the creature will ensure some form of revenge. There are some villagers that follow legends suggesting that the Lemur is the spirit ancestor and a symbol of good luck.

Lemurs represent kindness, respect and positivity. Their social and family dependence also symbolises the importance of remembering family connections and bonds and honouring the teachers and elders of the community.

Note: The digital images of what the print may look like when framed and displayed are as examples only.