There will be some rather unusual visitors making their way through the streets of London next week. The journey of giraffe from Londolozi’s “Christmas” video are being remade for the Shepard Foundation Artist of the Year award.
David Shepard Wildlife Foundation
Simon Max Bannister is currently based at Londolozi Game Reserve as the Artist in residence. Working as a Graphic Designer he found the need to express his creativity with an alternative means and moved to the bushveld in 2011. Be it earth, stone, leaf, water, light, shadow and even plastic, Simon grasps the energy and moulds it into an intriguing dialogue which is then presented as a piece of art.
Simon truly portraying his artwork through a ‘frame’
Simon has participated in events such as Site Specific, Afrika Burn, Infecting the City and the National Arts Festival. He has created multiple private commissions for wine estates, game reserves and educational facilities such as the GWF Hazyview Learning Centre Tree.
Notice the inquisitive elephant in the background
Selected as a finalist in the Shepard Foundation’s ‘Artist of the Year‘ competition, Simon will be exhibiting his giraffe at the Mall Galleries in London on the 3-8 June. The Londolozi ‘Journey of Giraffe’ will be reconstructed on English soil.
The giraffes making their way out of camp – soon to end up in the streets of London
The Shepard Foundation raises funds through art that works for the survival of tigers, elephants, rhinos and other critically endangered mammals in the wild. With the help of supporters across the world, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation has given away over £5 million in grants to save these critically endangered mammals in their wild habitat and benefit the local people who share their environment.
Journey by night
Simon, your Londolozi family wish you the best of luck in your travels far and wide. Journey safely!
Written by Kate Neill
Photographed by Richard Laburn
Many congratulations, Simon! Your giraffe are head-and-shoulders above any competitor! Way special!
YOU GO SIMON….
Good Luck my friend, we love those Giraffe journey safely and keep us in the loop!
A long journey for that journey. Good luck!
Good luck my brother. You will be great. I am so proud of you. Lots of love Adam
Congrat Simon… This awesome!! Good luck out there… An incredible achievement.
Nice!!