22.5 x 30.5 cm
Acrylic on 23 karat gold leaf, archival paper
Kiaat wood frame with gilded gold front (see last picture for example)
 
Two rare Karoo Riverine Rabbits run alongside two escaping circus ponies, leading the way for the other animals.
 
This painting is part of the Escape of the Circus Ponies series. It began when I found a photograph of a tombstone of circus animals that had died in a fire. The tombstone was engraved ‘We think they must have souls.’" I began to paint circus animals escaping - ponies, zebra, elephants, tigers, and bears, all the while looking for some relief, perhaps some forgiveness, by painting them free. I wanted them to find joy and liberation. I wanted them to be in landscapes and ecosystems they belong in.
 
Since then I've incorporated other animals doing other things, but the circus animals will always carry a special place in my heart.
 
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 gelatin, 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.