EXPLORERS AGAINST EXTINCTION

               THE BIG ELEPHANT AUCTION

                         

                                                           'Wisdom'

It's wonderful to have the opportunity to participate in the Big Elephant Auction, a new fundraiser organised by Explorers Against Extinction in 2026

'An African elephant is poached for its ivory at a rate of one every 26 minutes, on average'. 

A shocking statistic from 2016 which is at the heart of the Sketch for Survival concept.

Explorers Against Extinction are a UK based conservation charity who started Sketch for Survival in 2017, a unique way for professional artists and celebrities to help support wildlife conservation projects around the world, by donating artwork which is then auctioned to raise funds.                                                                        

The auction runs throughout April 2026 and finishes on April 26th at 19.00 BST 

Find details at The Big Elephant Auction

My artwork is an original woodcut and is entitled 'Wisdom'. Elephants are known to be wise, intellegent, empathic and loyal. Their wrinkled skins have a practical purpose and clearly illustrate their tough and long lives, but somehow also show their sensitive natures. I wanted to try and capture both aspects with this piece and love the way that woodcuts have the woodgrain adding to the texture and mood.

As an artist who is inspired by the natural world and wildlife, it's a real privilege to be able to help support wildlife conservation in this way.

GRATITUDE IN ART

                                                   My design Beacon of Hope

Obviously the past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for many people due to the pandemic and it's been a challenging time in the Arts, so I was really delighted to have one of my designs commissioned by global public art producers Wild in Art for their latest and most heartfelt project 

This is Gratitude has been created especially to show our gratitude to NHS and other key workers for their amazing hard work and dedication throughout this pandemic. 51 sculptures have been designed and painted by individual artists and celebrate a wide range of themes around gratitude and resilience. Enclosed by mirrors on two sides, Gratitude creates infinite reflections of the stunning artwork highlighting the endless dedication of all key workers The wonderful Zandra Rhodes is the creative ambassador for the project.

My design 'Beacon of Hope', is a lighthouse, which is a traditional and iconic symbol of hope already used amongst some key worker organisations. The base has a design of rough seas and bears the inscription, 'your light shines like a beacon of hope on stormy seas'. It is dedicated to all key workers who have given everyone hope and support during the Pandemic. It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to show my gratitude by being involved in this project.

Having toured the country with exhibitions in central locations in Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, the public art installation reached it's final stunning location of Southwark Cathedral last week. 

The artworks are now being auctioned online to raise funds for the NHS Charities Together which does vital amazing work to support NHS staff, patients and emergency support workers.

Anyone wishing to bid for an artwork and support the NHS can do so here.

Lions of Bath Charity Auction

Roartork will go under the hammer tomorrow Friday 15th Oct at The Assembly Rooms Bath, in the first of two charity auctions organised by Lions of Bath to raise money for 'Off the Record' which supports the needs of young carers, and 2 other local charities.

A big thank you to Rotork for sponsoring him and Thermae Spa for taking him to their hearts this summer in his temporary home.

There are still a few tickets available to this fun gala event which includes a Champagne Reception, Dinner and live entertainment from Roger Wright, the original 'Simba' in the Lion King. http://www.lionsofbath.co.uk/home