ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: 

In this piece the artist, Cole Stirling, wanted to “interrogate elephants’ fascinating reverence for their dead. Ever more poignant, given elephant numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate. The beauty of a sentient creature paying respect to a passed loved one. The tragedy of an infant’s loss, mourning a parent. The uncertainty of a species on the brink of collapse.”

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Cole Stirling’s passion for wildlife started at an early age. Cole’s earliest memories include early morning drives in his beloved Hwange National Park. Art came as a by-product and a way to express his passion. Studying photography at university, later completing Field and Trails guide qualifications gave him an even greater appreciation for the natural world and a want to conserve it through his work. Stirling has always been drawn to monochrome imagery, especially the simplicity of focus on tone and form, a feature he strives for in his works. It’s also quite handy, as Cole is colour-blind!