Gorillas looking for new homes

After a summer in the sun on the English Riviera, my gorilla 'Five Minutes to Midnight' will be going to auction along with nearly 30 other life size designs and some smaller school designs, next week.

Great Gorillas project organised by Paignton Zoo and Wild in Art has been hugely popular and entertained visitors and residents alike in Paignton, Torquay and Exeter, winning Tourism Event of the Year at the English Riviera and South Devon Tourism Awards 2013.

'Five minutes to midnight, sponsored by SW legal firm Wollen Michelmore, has had a busy time. He joined the Gorilla Flotilla around Torbay in July, then was situated on Torquay seafront near the Pavilion and English Riviera Wheel during the trail from August to October. Later in October he joined the rest of the tribe at Paignton Zoo for the Goodbye Gorillas weekend event and is now heading for the Charity Auction on 6th November, looking for a forever home.

A Mini 'Midnight' has been hiding out at Babbacombe Model Village on their tiny trail and mini ceramics of him have also been for sale. More will be available from the Wild in Art webshop, running up to Christmas.
I was thrilled that he was also recently voted as the public's favourite gorilla by readers of the Torquay Herald Express. Hopefully 'Midnight' has helped to raise awareness of the urgency to support endangered Western Lowland Gorillas, with his clock and watch faces showing the 'doomsday' warning of five minutes to midnight!

The Auction this Wednesday will raise funds for Paignton Zoo's conservation projects, and proceeds from the sale of 'Midnight' will go to a very special local charity, The Children's Hospice South West which was nominated by his sponsor Wollen Michelmore. Information about the auction can be found here at Great Gorillas. It's not too late to register for telephone of proxy bidding.

Good luck 'Midnight'!

Great Gorillas on the Loose!

The Great Gorillas are on the loose and 30 life size gorillas have hit the streets along the English Riviera in Paignton, Torquay and Exeter.

Down on Torquay harbour front, where 'Five Minutes to Midnight' is situated, I met up with my Clive Meredith, Practise Director for Wollen Michelmore the South Devon Law Firm who have sponsored my gorilla.
Five Minutes ... is in front of the Pavillion in a great position for watching the world go by and with a perfect view of the English Riviera Big Wheel . Who knows, he may remind people occasionally that it's getting late and they should be getting a taxi home!

 

The wonderful Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay also has a miniature version of the trail with  some of the gorillas even performing useful or dangerous tasks!

 

There's plenty of time to follow the gorilla trails as the project continues until October ending with the Great Gorillas Charity Auction at The Palace Theatre Paignton on 6th Nov.

Great Gorillas update

Managing Partner Chris Hart, from my Gorilla's sponsor Wollen Michelmore dropped in to the studio to see work in progress on Five Minutes to Midnight

 

A great fun addition to the event, Great Gorillas have just announced that Babbacombe Model Village will feature a miniature trail of the gorillas in their gardens during the summer as well.

 

 

I was also very pleased to learn that Five Minutes to Midnight has been chosen as one of the designs from Great Gorillas to be produced as a miniature ceramic figurine. He will be available locally and from the Wild in Art web shop when the trail goes out in August.

 

Bristol Gorilla progress

Day 10

Day 9

I'm nearly there with the painting, the main area left to do is the treasure chest on the chest!

Then a good few coats of varnish.