Location: Le Mare, Jersey 2023. Tortoise Takeover with Durrell Zoo
Tortoise Takeover is an island-wide, public art trail from 16 June 2023 to 31 August 2023. Bringing together every part of the island’s community, this magnificent art trail is brought to you by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, in partnership with Wild in Art. Encouraging Jersey’s community and visitors of all ages, to explore the outdoors in a creative and colourful way. While also recognising the incredible work Durrell undertakes to protect some of the most threatened species on our planet.
The sculpture
‘Shelltastic’ is a stunning example of the power of colour, texture, and form. With vibrant shades of blues, pinks, and metallic gold, along with glitter, paint splatter and textures,
‘Shelltastic’ is a true feast for the senses. The sculpture serves as a symbol of the varied and wonderful creatures that inhabit our planet, reminding us that every layer of creativity has value, and when combined, it creates a harmonious and beautiful masterpiece.
"Tortoises have been making their way into stories for centuries. From Greek mythology to Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot and Aesop’s classic fable “The Tortoise and the Hare”.
These slow-moving creatures have captured our imaginations and become symbols of persistence and diligence."
- Durrell Zoo, Jersey
The public's reaction
The location is beautiful as you get so many different types of photographs depending on the day and weather. As you can see from the photos below, Shelltastic is super loved by locals and visitors to the Island. The reaction has been brilliant. Please tag @mrasingh when sharing your photo of Shelltastic.
Partnering with JTC Group
The sculpture is sponsored by JTC Group. JTC is a publicly listed, global professional services business with deep expertise in fund, corporate and private client services.
It has been fantastic working with Harriet Anderson Bradley and Rae Swemmer on this project. They have been a proactive business to partner with leading with delivering a school assembly and workshops at Grands Vaux school.
School assembly at Grand Vaux school
As part of our sponsorship with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust's #TortoiseTakeover trail, JTC Group is working with Grands Vaux School on its’ tortoise design project. While I was painting both of my sculptures, JTC invited me to deliver an inspirational artist talk at Grands Vaux to help inspire the next generation of budding artists. It was fantastic seeing the excitement from the children and all the brilliant questions asked.
Art workshops at Grand Vaux school
During my second visit to Jersey, I worked with JTC to organise and deliver 2 creative workshops at the primary school. It was amazing to see the pupils (and teachers!) engage with designing their own tortoises, working with colour, texture and patterns to bring their spe-shell creations to life. All of the children recognised me from the first assembly talk a few months before and were very excited to see the sculptures out on the trail.
The Auction
On 21 September, all giant tortoise sculptures will go under the hammer at The Royal Yacht Hotel at the much-anticipated Tortoise Takeover auction with celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson. The auction is to raise vital funds to help build a new Tropical House at Jersey Zoo. The Reptile and Amphibian House at Jersey Zoo is home to some of the most endangered species that Durrell works with, but is in urgent need of improved and more sustainable facilities. These improvements will also support Durrell’s team working at rewilding sites around the world, who are undertaking vital research and providing frontline care to these species on the brink.
Where: The Royal Yacht Hotel
When: 21 September
Online bidding: click here
Information
Name: Shelltastic
Location: La Mare, Jersey
Client: JTC Group
Materials - Fiberglass sculpture. Acrylic, metallic, gold paint, glitter and resin varnish
Related hashtags: #TortoiseTakeover
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