24 X 32.5 cm
Acrylic on 23 karat gold leaf, archival paper
Kiaat frame
*Please note that this painting has extra spots of gold leaf (see photo). These are intentional.
 
Part of the Escape of the Circus Ponies series, this painting shows a bear, a white pony, and a giraffe escaping from the circus. Bears have long provided entertainment for humans, both in circuses and bear baiting, with evidence of our relationship with them going back into prehistory (as early as 6000 BCE). They suffered terribly (and still do in some parts of the world). But here, the bear is set free to make another life in the wilderness.
 
“When men are happy, they dance; but when bears dance, they could not be farther from being happy
-- Theologian and animal welfarist Emil Knodt (1852–1924)
 
 
This is a handmade one-of-a-kind item. Each painting is unique and no AI is used in any part of the painting process - from sketches for composition to choosing the subject matter.
 
Each golden miniature painting is hand-painted in acrylic on 23k recycled gold leaf, which helps eliminate the need for new, destructive mining operations and thus reduces toxic waste, water pollution, and habitat destruction.
 
Animal rights are a deep part of my practice and I source archival paper that is vegan (many paper-makers use gelatine, an animal byproduct).
 
All the paintings are custom-framed in Cape Town using certified sustainably sourced Kiaat wood.
 
We recommended displaying this piece away from strong heat, moisture and direct sunlight.