South African street artist, Sonny, has embarked on his new mural project, To the Bone, in support of animal awareness. The campaign aims to highlight and raise funds for endangered wildlife across the globe.
The artist has spent the most part of the last year creating a new body of work and mapping out a world tour. Sonny believes that animals play an intrinsic part of this world, and that it’s everyones duty to stop the ongoing extinction crisis.
Sonny’s journey has already taken him to USA, Canada and Russia, with visits to wildlife conservations to expand his knowledge on this important subject. The project will also enter the white wall space with a gallery showcase later on.
Lion, New York City (USA)
Photos: John Domine
Bear, Cambridge Street Art Festival (Canada)
Photo: Tess Cunliffe
“The paintings show the animals’ faces breaking away to reveal the raw skeletons underneath, symbolic of how these beautiful creatures are quickly fading away. Tribal patterns from the animals’ country of origin adorn the exposed bones, driving home the message that in losing them we’re losing a part of our heritage too.”
Project CAT Tiger, New York City (USA)
Photos: John Domine
“23 250 species are currently threatened with extinction, only two years until the Mexican wolf becomes extinct, 4 000 tigers currently exist in the wild, and 95% of the world’s rhinos have been lost in the last 40 years!”
Amur Leopard, Vladivostok (Russia)
Photos: Tessa Cunliffe & Yuriy Smityuk
With support from the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), the large-scale murals will both honour the animals and enrich communities, from small villages to bustling cities. Do your bit to support the project by purchasing a print, sponsoring an artwork or finding more walls.
Follow the project on Sonny’s website & Instagram.
