When the names Shelton Woolright, Otis Frizzell, Flox (Hayley King), Askew One and Dean Sacred are used in one sentence, you know it’s going to be with a creative and unique project to follow.
The current exhibition Lonesome Beast Native presented by Moa Brewing Co. is just that – a continuation from the highly acclaimed 2014 creative collaboration and photographic series ‘Lonesome Beast’ between Shelton Woolright and Dean Sacred, but with a few more popular local names to the mix.
A limited number of pieces (each hand numbered, signed and wax stamped on archival paper) are on display in the iconic Old Elephant House at The Auckland Zoo until February 26th, open to the public with viewing times adopting The Auckland Zoo’s regular opening hours.
The exhibition features 15 prints of Woolright’s photography, each customised with unique layers by one of the partner artists and for sale from $180 in sizes ranging from A3 to A0. Ten per cent of sales from all prints will go towards The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, supporting conservation efforts in the wild throughout New Zealand and overseas.
To further support the efforts of The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund and to tie into the Lonesome Beast Native exhibition, naming-rights sponsor Moa Brewing Co. will be wrapping 15 of its Moa Methode Pilsner Magnum brews with the lead Moa image from the exhibit and contributing all proceeds of its sales to the Conservation Fund.
Woolright says the new Native exhibit aims to create awareness around the reality of extinction of New Zealand’s endangered native birds and educate those who may otherwise be unaware of the importance of conservation.
Hayley King (Flox) says of the upcoming exhibition, “a trademark of my work incorporates native elements of New Zealand including birds, ferns and flowers so I was thrilled to be asked to collaborate on a series that essentially gives back to my craft”.
Peter Fraser, Conservation Fund Programmes Coordinator for The Auckland Zoo, also thinks it’s fitting that the photographic series supports existing endangered wildlife by highlighting the beauty of the extinct. “These were beautiful animals that unfortunately couldn’t be saved. The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund gives a chance to the native wildlife we can help preserve, so we’re thankful Shelton and the others are helping raise awareness and funds for this great cause,” says Fraser.
For those who find themselves busy during standard opening hours, the exhibition coincides with The Auckland Zoo’s ‘Open Lates’ whereby every Thursday during the month of February, the Zoo including Lonesome Beast Native presented by Moa Brewing Co. will be open to the public until 8pm. To encourage visitation from a more mature audience, the Zoo will be exclusively open to adults only from 5.30pm. Open Late tickets are priced at $12 per adult.
Tickets can be purchased from www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or upon entry to The Auckland Zoo.
GIVEAWAY: We have an exclusive print A3 photographic print of the Moa skeleton – one of only 10 printed and the lead image for the exhibition – the giveaway to one of our readers. The work of Shelton Woolright, it comes hand numbered, signed and wax stamped on archival paper and is a right sight to behold. To enter email hravlich@intermedianz.co.nz with your courier address and LONESOME BEAST in the subject line by February 22, 2016.
