Elliot Kenny and Clive Palmer (2021) Endangered Species vs A Dangerous Species (Chapter 8: pp.72-81). In, Palmer, C. (Ed.) Arts-Based Education in Outdoor Learning. Sport and Wellbeing Press, Preston, UK. [Topics: graffiti, violence, hunting, extinction] (original) (raw)

The following set of images expose a rich juxtaposition of atrocity in the hands of Man. The level of atrocity is born from notions of Man’s inhumanity to Man, for example, being a victim of a shocking or highly unjust execution, to Man’s inhumanity to animals, for example, his ability to bring about critically endangered species through hunting for ‘sport’. The superimposed images of animal heads on human bodies have a synergy to powerfully demonstrate Man’s stupidity as species of Dangerous Animal to himself and to wildlife. The heads of innocent victims in legal systems or war situations have been replaced with the heads of innocent animals who are currently on the endangered species list through their exploitation as a means of sport. Has Man, in his short history of modern existence, killed his own civilisation with the same carefree spirit that he seems to have killed entire species of animals? It was an aim of this artistic project to bring to the fore the atrocity of mass hunting and the ridiculousness of calling the execution of animals ‘a sport’. To illustrate the point, since 1900 the lion population in Africa has dropped by 80%, many killings committed on lions no older than two years old (Lion Aid, 2011). In 1930 there were roughly 10 million elephants in the wild, however in 1989 there were approximately 1% of that number left (600,000) according to African Conservancy (2016). The series of images attempts to show dehumanisation, the idea that in the eyes of their killers, the victims, both human and animal in this case, were reduced to nothing, debased of any worthwhile qualities as living contributors to the world (Osofsky, Bandura and Zimbardo, 2005). My graffiti tag Endangered consists of a tree of life being sheltered by a leaping wolf. The tree of life is depicted in many cultures spanning thousands of years symbolising interconnected relationships across the planet between all species (James, 1968). The tag was placed on each image as a personal brand or signature, and a reminder of our responsibilities to care for wildlife.