So a couple of months ago the incredible Pip Stewart messaged Sophie on Instagram and asked her if she had heard of Sketch for Survival, a campaign run by Explorers Against Extinction.
We researched them and discovered that they raise awareness about the world's most threatened animals and their habitats. The funds they raise go towards their brilliant projects to help and protect these iconic animals.
Pip got in contact with them and Sophie decided to donate the original of Ermin, possibly the most striking piece out of the new collection. Ermin is now touring the UK and a small framed print version is going to New York in November (the original was too big :( hahah).
Sketch for Survival has over 400 art works from artists in more than 30 countries, representing well over 60 different endangered species. The collection consists of 26 minute sketches (this is because an African elephant is poached for its ivory at a rate of one every 26 minutes) as well as a variety of more time-consuming, complex pieces.
They also have celebrity artworks donated by, including but not limited to Pip Stewart of course, Helen Mirren, Judie Dench and Stephen Fry. The collection is all available to view and bid on, online: check out or bid on Ermin, the starting price is just £500!
As well as being online, the collection tours the UK and New York! They visit a total of 7 venues in 2 months and it began last weekend on 29th September at the Wildlife & Safari Show in Harrogate. The next exhibition is at gallery@oxo on London’s South Bank, here are all of the locations and dates:
17-21 October - gallery@oxo (free entry)
Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank, London. 11am – 6pm daily.
1-4 November - Conde Nast Luxury Travel Fair
London Olympia. 10am – 5.30pm daily except Sunday 10am – 4.30pm
7-8 November - Walcot Chapel Gallery, Bath (free entry)
Walcot Gate, Bath BA1 5UG. 11am – 6pm daily
14 November - The Explorers Club, New York, USA
46 East 70th Street, New York, 7pm - travel and conservation lecture. Capsule Sketch displayed.
15-17 November - Salmagundi Club, New York, USA
47 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003 1pm – 6pm daily except Saturday 1pm - 5pm
23-25 November - Crypt Gallery, Norwich (free entry)
Cathedral Close, Norwich NR1 4DD 1pm – 6pm Friday; 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday
We hope you can make one of these dates as it’s for a great cause. You can also sign up for the auction here to bid online.
Give @realafrica a follow on Instagram to keep up with what they’re doing!
