A spectacular sculpture of a gilded tiger skull inspired by the desperate plight of the tiger in the wild will form a stunning centre piece at this year’s Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London June 3-8.

Created by Oxford-based artist, Martin Hayward-Harris, ‘2063’ is one of 140 artworks short-listed for the coveted annual art prize run by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

“I am perplexed by man’s need to assume the qualities of big cats by consuming or destroying them, driven by a sense of both fear and awe,” explains Martin who was inspired by the passion of TV presenter Gordon Buchanan* in the BBC documentary Lost Land of the Tiger which showed tigers moving across borders and through mountain ranges, and revealed that wild tigers are becoming increasingly trapped amongst pockets of civilisation.

“The presenter’s initial joy upon discovering the tiger, and then his mounting sadness upon realising what was happening was palpable. It really brought home to me that there is only a short time left to give these majestic creatures back the freedom and the territory they need to once again breed successfully, otherwise there is a very real risk they will become extinct within 50 years.”

The sculpture took three months to make. It references a real tiger skull, but is not cast from one and the open jaw was designed in from the beginning. The cranium was made from small wooden panels which were then plated in sections of flexible sheet. An internal casting was then made which was coated in eight layers of Gesso (a mixture of calcium carbonate and glue). The separate lower jaw was made from plate steel and incorporates stainless steel rod and carbon fibre. The whole sculpture was then hand polished and coated with clay bole. The final process was gilding by hand with 23.5 carat gold using the water gilding method. This was carried out by a professional gilder and took more than two months to complete.

There are now only an estimated 3,200 tigers left in the wild. At present rates of attrition, and without serious efforts to raise awareness, stop the illegal trade in tiger parts and to conserve their wild habitat, some experts predict that the tiger will become extinct in the wild in 50 years’ time - in 2063 - the date chosen as the title of Martin’s work.

“I wanted to make a sculpture that would provoke thought and debate around the threat of extinction and that - unless we act, and act now - the tiger will be no more,” he says.

All of the original art on view during the week at the Mall Galleries is for sale with proceeds split 50/50 between the artist and the Foundation’s conservation work. Since its inception the competition has generated over £250,000 for wildlife and with 50 per cent of 2063’s sale price tag of £20,000 going direct to tiger conservation Martin will be contributing to the long-term survival of the tiger in the wild.

The seven category, and one overall winner, will be announced at the private view at the Mall Galleries, London, SW1 on the evening of Monday, June 3 rd in the company of David Shepherd and special guests.

This stunning wildlife art competition returns to the Main Gallery in June supported by a fabulous collection of original works by supporting artists from around the world.

Wildlife Artist of the Year in the Main Gallery 
The 2013 shortlist for this coveted annual £10,000 prize - with stunning original artwork and sculpture from around the world. All pieces are for sale with profit supporting endangered wildlife. 

Three Generations of the Shepherd Family in the North Gallery 
Original works and limited editions from David Shepherd CBE, original watercolours from Mandy Shepherd and fabulous mixed media originals from Emily Lamb. 

'Urban Safari' by Jeremy Houghton in the Threadneedle Space 
Stunning contemporary original work by Jeremy Houghton - one of the official 2012 BT Olympic artists. 

Celebrity Tigers in the North Gallery 
A collection of sketches and artwork from celebrity TigerTime Campaign supporters to be auctioned to save the tiger in the wild. Celebrity artists include Joanna Lumley, Sir Michael Parkinson, Hugh Bonneville, David Gower, Alan Titchmarsh, Elizabeth Emmanuel, Peter Egan and more!

Mall Galleries
The Mall (by Trafalgar Square)
London SW1 United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0)20 79306844
info@mallgalleries.com
www.mallgalleries.org.uk

Opening hours
Daily from 10am to 5pm
Late nights Thursdays until 7pm