Marine Life & Conservation
Sea Shepherd and Under The Skin team up for “Extinction Series” art prints
Endangered vaquita porpoise kicks off the four-part series
Sea Shepherd is teaming up with UK-based design duo Ed and James Harrison on their conservation project ‘Under the Skin,’ an art series specializing in limited-edition, interactive screen prints of endangered animals from across the globe. This new collaboration will celebrate some of the marine species that Sea Shepherd is tirelessly working to protect, as well as raise awareness of the threats these species face that are leading to their extinction.
Under the Skin prints are hand-crafted pieces of art with a powerful underlying message: under UV light, the phosphorescent skeleton of each animal is exposed, a reminder of all that remains when a species falls into the darkness of extinction. Since launching in 2015, Under the Skin prints are becoming known for this unique style, concept and process. Previous pieces have included prints of the Polar Bear, Sunda Pangolin, Forsten Tortoise, African Elephant and more. Twenty percent of Under The Skin’s proceeds go to organizations dedicated to protecting each species.
Sea Shepherd four-print collaboration
The inaugural print supporting Sea Shepherd’s work will be of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. This print will be the first of four marine species in the exclusive “Ocean Warrior Series” created in partnership with Sea Shepherd. They will be released throughout 2018. Designed and printed by the Welsh-born Harrison siblings, Under The Skin prints are created in a limited-edition 40 prints per animal, each retailing for £265. Twenty percent of proceeds per print will go to four different Sea Shepherd campaigns directly helping the specific endangered animal. Each print comes wrapped in screen printed wrapping paper and is accompanied by a UV torch, a makers booklet showing the creation process, and a charity description card.
The vaquita porpoise is the smallest and most endangered marine mammal in the world. Endemic to Mexico’s Upper Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. The tiny porpoise has garnered media attention in recent years due to its diminishing numbers as there are currently less than 30 in existence. Sea Shepherd has spent the last four years patrolling the Sea of Cortez as part of its Operation Milagro campaign where vessels patrol for poachers and find and remove illegal gillnets which trap and drown the vaquita, along with other marine wildlife.
You can find more information about Sea Shepherd’s Operation Milagro campaign here.
“When we heard from Sea Shepherd about the plight of the smallest porpoise in the world on the brink of extinction, we knew we had to start working on a print to raise awareness,” said James Harrison. “Sea Shepherd has been on the forefront of the movement to protect it, and without their four consecutive campaigns I’m sure this incredible animal would be extinct by now. We’re thrilled to be working with Sea Shepherd to join forces to do anything we can to save the vaquita before it’s too late.”
“My brother and I have long admired Captain Paul Watson and the organization he founded 40 years ago,” added Ed Harrison. “Working with him has been a dream come true and we’re looking forward to raising awareness for the species within the ‘Sea Shepherd series’ as a team.”
Prints are currently available to pre-order from the website at https://undertheskin.co.uk/shop/vaquita.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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