Miami Beach, a hub for artistic innovation during Art Basel draws global attention with its eclectic galleries, striking street murals, and landmark exhibitions. However, the latest artistic spectacle to grace the city has taken an entirely new form: a herd of life-sized elephant sculptures.
The Great Elephant Migration debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach and will be on display until December 8. Afterward, it embarks on a U.S. tour, captivating audiences at Hermann Park in Houston, TX; Blackfeet Nation in Browning, MT; the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY; and Los Angeles, CA. Featuring 100 life-sized sculptures, the exhibit pays homage to real elephants from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in South India, as highlighted by Smithsonian Magazine. Designed by Shubhra Nayar, the sculptures are made from lantana camara, an invasive weed threatening to overtake the natural habitat of Indian elephants, according to ArtNet News.
Art Meets Advocacy
The elephant sculptures are more than just stunning works of art; they carry a powerful message. Each piece is inspired by real-life stories of endangered elephants and their habitats, specifically modeled after individual elephants from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The initiative aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by these majestic creatures, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict.
A Unique Collaboration
The artisans behind the sculptures are local Indigenous craftspeople from South India, who used their traditional skills to craft the elephants from lantana camara. This invasive plant, while destructive to native ecosystems, has been repurposed into a medium for creating these striking sculptures.
Leaving a Legacy
Currently in Miami Beach, the exhibition will head to Houston, TX after December 8, followed by exciting stops in Browning, MT; Jackson Hole, WY; and Los Angeles, CA, offering both residents and tourists a chance to appreciate this unique art installation. All the elephant sculptures are for sale, with proceeds supporting 22 conservation NGOs, benefitting elephants and other species, as reported by Smithsonian Magazine The aim is to promote a mutually beneficial coexistence between humans and nature.
An Invitation to Act
As climate change and urbanization continue to threaten wildlife, initiatives like this serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet. By bringing the plight of elephants to the forefront in such a creative and impactful way, this project hopes to inspire meaningful change.
Don’t miss this traveling exhibition at one of its iconic stops—a breathtaking celebration of art and conservation, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness life-sized elephant sculptures up close. It’s a striking reminder that art can be a powerful force for advocacy and action.
Experience the awe-inspiring Great Elephant Migration at Art Basel Miami Beach, featuring 100 life-sized elephant sculptures crafted by Indigenous artisans. Discover their journey across the U.S., promoting art and wildlife conservation.
