How chimps are benefiting from the art of the Biro
An exhibition initiated by Jane Lee McCracken, Northumberland-based ballpoint artist and founder of the charity Drawing for the Planet, has opened at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham.
It is called Chimpanzee Community and it features drawings – in ballpoint pen, naturally – by more than 500 schoolchildren in America, the UK (including Belsay School and Ponteland Primary in the North East) and Liberia.
It was organised in partnership with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) and Born Free, the international wildlife charity.
Liberia has one of Africa’s largest surviving western chimpanzee populations but the species is nevertheless dangerously close to extinction.
The Hexham exhibition also features a new picture by Jane herself, Gardener of the Forest, an intricate Biro portrait of a chimpanzee which took her many hours to complete.
Schoolchildren in participating countries attended Jane’s Amazing Chimpanzees workshops, learning about the animals’ vital forest role and why they are threatened.
Then, equipped with ballpoint pens, they produced drawings of the orphan chimps in the care of LCRP which is run by American couple Jenny and Jimmy Desmond.
Some of Jenny’s photos can also be seen in the exhibition.
“Through drawing, education and the opportunity of self-expression, I hope to generate individual compassion towards animals and the environment while encouraging collective responsibility to further cherish and conserve the planet’s remaining wildlife for future generations,” says Jane.
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Laura Eastwood, head of education at Born Free, says: “This project brings together the best of art and environmental education, promoting knowledge about chimpanzee and the threats they face as well as an emotional connection with individual animals.
“We are so proud of playing our part in this amazing initiative and would encourage everyone to go along and engage with the moving and impactful exhibition”
To ensure the chimpanzee project continues, Jane, in partnership with LCRP and Born Free, has created a free resource for teachers so other schools, wherever they are, can get involved. Find details here.
The Drawing for the Planet exhibition runs until November 22 at the Queen’s Hall (open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm) and is free to visit.