Turnpike Art Group: rhinoceros

“It is sad what human greed has done and now we must keep watch every minute because it would be unimaginable if the poachers succeeded in killing these last few animals.”
Mohamed Doyo
Patrol ranger, Ol Pejeta ranch, Kenya

The Rhinoceros has walked the earth for 5 million years. Modern humans have only been in existence for around 200,000 years; long enough to subvert the natural balance of the ecosystem, tinkering with the delicate ecology of our planet to often dramatic effect.

By 2011, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct. The majestic Northern White Rhino is now also teetering on the edge of extinction - this entirely due to poachers, feeding the far east's voracious appetite for Rhino horn - a commodity now more prized than gold.

There are only five Northern White Rhinos remaining. Four of these are female. The last male on this planet is called Sudan. He is old; living out his final years on the Ol Pejeta ranch in Kenya, protected by patrolmen on 24-hour armed guard. His once magnificent horn has been removed to 'devalue' his worth to poachers.

The clock is ticking. IVF a potentially final option to rescue a species.

We value Sudan's steely stare, as he gazes out onto the turf of north London.
Please help support the Ol Pejeta ranch rangers click > HERE

Read more about the global Extinction threat HERE

Artwork created by James Straffon

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

On 4th June 2018 the enlightened pupils at North Harringay Primary School, London returned from a half-term break to discover a Rhino in the herb garden. Further exploration of the outside zones of the school uncovered a climbing Red Panda, a majestic Tiger, an enquiring Red-eyed Tree Frog, a glorious Giraffe, bending to take a drink from one of the playground’s child-proportioned water fountains, and a mature Rhino, casually chewing on a clump of fresh Oregano shoots. A mini-menagerie had magically appeared in their absence.

The five animals in this collection were chosen to introduce the children to the diversity of the animal kingdom, and more critically bring focus to the plight of those species in danger of extinction, along with the rapidly disappearing flora on which they depend. The Sixth Mass Extinction is now a recognised phenomena - this a disconcerting and destructive component of a new epoch known as the Anthropocene - in which human activity on our planet has become the dominant influence on climate and the environment; polluting the oceans and altering the atmosphere.

This influence has set a new and different trajectory for the Earth system. As the children grow up, and in time produce families of their own, will animals painted on walls be how we remember the creatures which once existed?

This series of artworks created with the generous help of the North Harringay Primary PSA, along with the assistance of staff members.

A Rhino in the Herb Garden is partly created in the memory of Sudan - the last male Northern White Rhino - who passed away in March 2018.

Painted by TAG Co-Founder James Straffon.

Project limited edition prints available from the TAG SHOP.