Did you know that every year 800 lions are slaughtered in South Africa and their bones are exported to end up as ingredients in potency enhancing drugs and similar “medicine”?
To mark World Lion Day 2020 Blood Lions and World Animal Protection teamed up to mobilize supporters and put pressure on the South African government. The goal: a CITES export quota of zero on lion bones.
Part of this plan was an art campaign. Artists worldwide were asked to give the 800 lions a voice and to create at least 800 works of art – by means of drawing, painting, photography, music, poetry, or dance.
I participated in this activity both as an individual artist and as part of the artist group ABUN. A lioness in watercolor on mineral paper and a lion worked out of coal dust. Also, on mineral paper.
The ABUN artists have made every effort as always, the result was this impressive work of art:
In total, more than 1250 works of art were submitted. An incredible number! Artists from all over the world participated. The works were delivered to Minister Barbara Creecy in advance of the 2020 G20 Summit, urging her to decide against continuing the legal trade in big cat bones and body parts.
And indeed, on May 2, in 2022, Minister Barbara Creecy announced that South Africa will no longer breed lions in captivity, keep lions in captivity, or commercially exploit captive lions or their derivatives.
I am very happy that the art action could contribute a part to this result.