Union Jack Thammakit Thamboon
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Lot 01
Union Jack
Thammakit Thamboon
Inspiration: Biography:
I wanted to use a symbol for Thammakit was born on 27 October
this elephant so that it would be 1971 and is a professional artist with
remembered as the London elephant. a B.F.A. in Major Painting at Chiang
Mai University. Thammakit is mainly
involved with illustration and sculpture.
He has illustrated three books to date,
most recently illustrating and writing
a children’s book about a dancing
buffalo, with his prior illustrated books
referring to mediation and Zen. He has
presented his work in various galleries
and museum’s throughout Thailand.
Elephant no.3
12
Lot 02
Ziggy
Matthew Williamson
Inspiration: In September 1997 Matthew previously having been awarded Elle
I wanted the Matthew Williamson Williamson showed his infamous Designer of the Year in 2004 and the
elephant sculpture for Elephant Parade debut collection, ‘Electric Angels’, 2005 Moet and Chandon Fashion
London 2010 to incorporate visual during London Fashion Week. Bias Tribute Award. He has also been
and textural elements that would grab cut dresses and separates in exotic nominated 3 times for Designer of the
the attention of visitors, raising much shades of tangerine, fuchsia and Year at the British Fashion Awards.
needed awareness of the cause and magenta were worn by models Kate
also to brighten up our capital Moss, Helena Christensen and The luxury fashion house now
this summer. Jade Jagger. This unique collection produces 4 women’s wear collections
of bright, intricately detailed pieces annually and currently has a customer
Biography: defined and set the pace for the highly portfolio which includes 170
Graduating from Central St Martins recognizable Matthew Williamson prestigious wholesale accounts around
in June 1994 with a BA in Fashion signature aesthetic. the world and also has award-winning
Design and Printed Textiles, Mathew’s flagship stores in London and New
first job following graduation was a Following this initial show, Matthew’s York, as well as on online stores for
freelance design project with Marni. collections have continued to gather the UK, Europe and US.
He was then employed by British momentum, cementing his reputation
fashion company, Monsoon and as an internationally renowned
Accessorize. The luxury fashion house, designer and one of the UK’s leading
Matthew Williamson, was founded in designer talents. Matthew won the
February 1997 by designer, Matthew Red Carpet Designer of the Year at
Williamson and CEO, Joseph Velosa. the 2008 British Fashion Awards; Elephant no.258
14
Lot 03
Taxi Elephant
Benjamin Shine
Inspiration: ‘The Enterprising Young Brit Award New Zealand High Commission,
Taxi Elephant aims to celebrate Elephant 2004’, presented by Gordon Brown, Ligne Roset and the Museum of Arts
Parade in London through the idea of the marking the first of his series of multi and Design, New York.
elephant blending into the city’s familiar functional accessories. Benjamin has
scenery - taking on the appearance of also collaborated with several fashion 2006 saw Benjamin invent CORDZ,
the iconic London black cab. brands including Rohan and Schott a versatile and re-useable drawing
NYC, for whom he was appointed product for children. The patented
Biography: to design an A/W 2005 menswear product is licensed to Flair Leisure
London-born, Benjamin Shine studied collection. Products PLC, in the UK and Mega
fashion design at The Surrey Institute Brands America in the US. CORDZ
of Art and Design and St Martins Following his first exhibition of mixed- was awarded Top Creative Toy 2007
in London. Fashion, textiles and media artworks in 2003, Benjamin and recently won the acclaimed
constructional ideas continue to inform has continued to undertake new Red Dot Design Award 2009. Most
Benjamin’s style and broad creative artwork projects and commissions, recently Benjamin has been short-
vision, establishing a multi-disciplined as well as being enlisted to design listed for an iconic public sculpture in
design approach that strives for various corporate brands. Most notably, Australia’s capital city, Canberra. He
purposeful, memorable and timeless his fabric-portraits have generated has also recently won the prestigious
design through innovation a following of collectors including Courvoisier Future 500 ‘One to Watch’
and originality. Baroness Thatcher, Sir Edmund Hillary title in the Art and Design category, in
and President Obama, with works the UK.
To date, works include the award- exhibited in public locations including
winning SKOODY, which won Benjamin Deutsche Bank, Woburn Abbey, The Elephant no.68
16
Lot 04
Elfreda
Jeff Hoare
Inspiration: Biography:
I wanted the elephant to look as if it Jeff Hoare was born in 1923 and His elephant for Elephant
had walked out of the sea and that the studied at the Chelsea School of Parade London was created in the
sea was all the different colours. Art and at the Royal College. From same unique way on a Folkstone
1963 until 1995 he taught painting beach, making it a truly naturally
and drawing at Saint Martins and inspired piece.
at Camberwell. He has directed
art workshops all over the world,
in Belgrade, Paris, Canada and
Cameroun, and in 1985 he founded
the Aegean School of Art in Kos. He
has exhibited widely in Britain, the
USA and Europe, with solo shows in
London, Paris, New York and San
Francisco.
Jeff Hoare has a lifelong engagement
with the elemental power of the ocean.
His canvases are created in the sea,
their colours and form shaped and
refined by the ebb and flow of the tide
and the raw energy of the wind
and rain.
Elephant no.124
18
Lot 05
Eli Krishna
Alice Temperley
Inspiration: From the luxurious silks and French globally in 35 countries and has over
My inspiration for this year’s elephant lace to the intricate hand-beading, 220 stockists.
project has been ceremonial elephant embroidery, oversized stone and sequin
dress. Decorative, vibrant and embellishments - all have become
celebratory. trademarks of the Temperley design
philosophy. Pieces are designed to be
Biography: timeless and versatile and ultimately to
Since its launch during London flatter, creating clothes to treasure that
Fashion Week 2000, the Temperley will last a lifetime.
London label has become synonymous
with timeless glamour, exquisite Constantly evolving, Alice plans to
craftsmanship and collections desired extend her love of surface decoration
by women all over the world. and unrivalled craftsmanship with
more Temperley boutiques - as well
Tracing her design philosophy back as extending the line to include home
to her specialist training in Fabric ware, travel accessories, menswear
Technology and Print at The Royal and childrenswear. The Temperley
College of Art, Alice designs the design philosophy is set to extend its
seasonal prints and embroideries for influence, transforming it from one of
which she has become renowned, Britain’s leading luxury brands to an
infusing each garment with a all-encompassing lifestyle. Temperley
characteristic attention to detail. London is sold online as well as Elephant no.54
20
Lot 06
The Empire Is Not Striking Back
Chintan Upadhyay
Inspiration: outlooks. He reflects on these personal Chintan also established an Artists
The elephant has been the symbol of and borrowed notions; as well as their Initiative programme called Sandarbh
India for the longest time, so I have merging boundaries which give rise in 2003 with the aim to encourage
used it to depict the different political, to issues of identity, proprietorship artists to work in context with their
social and ecological upheavals that are and culture. surroundings through residencies
being faced by this massive giant and workshops; and has managed to
in today’s ever changing world. Chintan has held numerous solo shows spread awareness about contemporary
in India and abroad. Recent shows art practices in rural India. Chintan was
Biography: include Khatti Mithi, Sakshi Gallery, the recipient of the Taj Gourav India
Chintan Upadhyay was born in 1972 Mumbai, India and Iconic shrine, Award in 2008.
in Rajasthan and now lives and works Gallery Soulflower and Roundabout,
in Mumbai. He completed his MFA Jaipur, India in 2009; Mistake, Aicon
from M.S. University, Baroda in 1997. Gallery, London, India; Pet Shop,
He attempts to showcase the different Ashish Balram Nagpal Galleries,
aspects of cultural hybridism through Mumbai, India and New Indians, Gallery
his works. Over the last few years Seorsie Natalie, Paris, France and
Chintan has been depicting images Metastasis of signs, Gallery Espace,
of male babies with Indian miniatures New Delhi, India in 2008. He has to
painted on them. With exaggerated yet his credit many group shows held in
emotive features; this futuristic imagery India, Thailand, Korea, China, and
speaks of current societies with their London amongst others.
mishmash of ideas and conventional Elephant no.79
22
Lot 07
Gerald
Jonathan Yeo
Inspiration: Biography:
This design is inspired by an elephant Jonathan Yeo is an artist who
walking through a park on a sunny specialises in contemporary portraits
autumn day. and collages. He taught himself to paint
in his early twenties while recovering
from lymphatic cancer and went on to
create portraits of diverse personalities
such as David Cameron, Erin O’Connor,
Prince Philip, Nicole Kidman and
Grayson Perry.
Amongst his best known works is
a painting of former PM Tony Blair
wearing a bright red remembrance
poppy and a collage of president
George W Bush made from
pornographic magazines.
Public and private collections include the
National Portrait Gallery, The House of
Commons, the Bibliotheque Nationale
de France, Dennis Hopper, Damien
Hirst and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Elephant no.135
24
Lot 08
Udata Hathi
Venkat Raman Singh Shyam & Rajendra Kumar Shyam
Inspiration: successors, Venkat has worked in a In 1996, his uncle, the seminal Gond
Venkat and Rajendra each painted variety of media and styles, ranging master artist Jangarh Singh Shyam,
a side of their elephant for Elephant from figurative and naturalistic drawings recognized Rajendra’s artistic talents
Parade London. Their inspiration stems and acrylic paintings on canvas and and encouraged him to work as his
from the Peacock and Banana story silk, to more decorative work on papier apprentice in Bhopal. He subsequently
which in their words is as follows; mache, ceramic tiles, glass, aluminum pursued his own career as an
“Before the elephant was flying but he and sheet iron. He has done ambitious independent artist and has exhibited
came down to Earth and misbehaved commissions for India’s Taj Hotel across India and more recently in
with humans, then God punished him Group, and recently completed a series the UK.
and took away his wings, and gave on the Mumbai terrorist attacks of
them to the Banana and the Peacock”. November 2008 – which he personally
witnessed whilst visiting the Taj Hotel
Biography: on business. Venkat’s work has been
Venkat was born in 1970 to a humble collected and exhibited internationally.
Pardhan Gond family living in the
village Sejohra, in eastern Madhya Rajendra was born in 1974 in the
Pradesh. He began painting at the remote village of Patangarh, in the
age of ten, and for five years worked jungle of eastern Madhya Pradesh,
as an apprentice under his uncle, central India. As a child he was
the late Gond master artist Jangarh compelled to give up his education to
Singh Shyam. The most innovative help support his family, by doing daily
and experimental of Jangarh’s artistic wage labour on road construction. Elephant no.252
26
Lot 09
Zabriskie
Storm Thorgerson
Biography: Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Black in Scotland. Storm’s work extended
Storm Thorgerson is the artist behind Sabbath, 10cc, Paul McCartney, and into documentaries, such as the two-
images synonymous with identifying Peter Gabriel amongst many others. part “Art of Tripping” for Channel 4 in
the pop culture of the 70’s throughout Applying his creativity to moving 1993 which explored the connections
and into the 80’s, 90’s and the images, Storm formed Green Back between artists and drugs and an hour
Millennium. Creating visually beautiful Films with Aubrey Powell and Peter long science documentary “Rubber
and interesting art, Storm’s work has Christopherson in 1983. Despite Universe” for Equinox. The following
featured on a variety of singles, album producing numerous music videos for year, Storm directed for Pink Floyd six
and CD covers, as well as posters. He the likes of Paul Young, Nik Kershaw, short films to be screened through the
is the author of several books including Robert Plant, Big Country and others, duration of their world tour.
“Mind over Matter”, “Walk Away the company was not to last and Storm Thorgerson continues t
Renee”, “Album Cover Album” series, imploded in 1985. o create album covers for Pink Floyd,
“Eye of the Storm” and “ 100 Best Anthrax, Alan Parsons, Ian Drury,
Album Covers”. In 1985, undeterred, Storm went solo Cranberries, Ween, Catherine Wheel,
and continued directing music videos. Phish and many more.
In 1968, Storm and Aubrey Powell His direction for the Pink Floyd video
formed “Hipgnosis”, a graphic “Learning to Fly” won the best director
design studio specialising in creative award at the American Billboard
photography. This creative company Awards. Branching out, Storm began
predominately worked within the music directing commercials too. His direction
business designing the album covers for the Tennants’ commercial “One
for rock ‘n’ roll bands such as Pink Great Thing” won The Golden Rose Elephant no.240
28
Lot 10
The Lion King on Stage
Sacha Jafri
Inspiration: ‘The Renaissance Man who is set to artist in the history of art to be offered
Inspired from The Lion King on Stage seduce us away from conceptual art a 10 year retrospective at the age of
and celebrating the pioneering and with his passion for painting’, he is 31. This museum based World Tour will
extraordinary achievements of this leading a revival of painting through his see over 26 cities of over 16 countries
magical production. The work aims genre - ‘Magical Realism.’ over the next three years.
to highlight the unique experience of
human, puppet and animal and how His past accolades include sell-out
these elements are bought to life with shows in London, New York, Hong
empathy, passion and precision. The Kong, Miami, Berlin, Dubai, Singapore,
journey, the escapism, the lesson, Austria, Monaco, Cannes and Frankfurt
the story, the imagery, the poetry, the and he has single handedly raised over
sounds, the excitement, the music and 5.5 million pounds for charity in the
the song – a homage to the bright and last 5 years. Sacha’s paintings now
beautiful world of Disney. regularly fetch from between £75,000
to £300,000 with recent works going
Biography: for as much as $900,000, now with an
Having graduated from the Ruskin, ever increasing following of collectors,
Oxford University, with a first in private and corporate investors,
painting, Sacha Jafri is now considered museum collections, royal commissions
one of the most exciting British painters and houses of modern art acquisitions.
on the contemporary art scene. Hailed
by the BBC London News as Sacha has become the youngest living Elephant no.218
30Lot 11
Untitled (Gajaraja)
Jitish Kallat
Biography: in Korea (2006).
Jitish Kallat was born in Mumbai in
1974. He studied painting at the Sir Recent solo exhibitions have taken
J.J. School of Art in Mumbai and has place with galleries in Beijing, London
participated in numerous solo and and Mumbai. Kallat’s work is held
group exhibitions internationally. in a number of important public and
private collections internationally
In addition to his inclusion in important including MOCA, Los Angeles, the
museum exhibitions such as Indian Saatchi collection and the Frank Cohen
Highway at the Serpentine Gallery, collection.
London (2009), Chalo! Indua: A
New Era of Indian Art at the Mori Art
Museum, Tokyo (2008), Thermocline
of Art – New Asian Waves at the ZKM
Museum in Karlsruhe (2007) and
Century City at Tate Modern in London
(2001), Kallat has participated widely
in biennials and triennials, including
The 3rd Guangzhou Triennial in China
(2008), The 5th Asia Pacific Triennial
of Contemporary Art in Australia
(2006) and The 6th Gwangju Biennale Elephant no.126
32Lot 12
Heaven’s Haathi
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla
Inspiration: elegance are their trademark. They Lakme Fashion House, with Donatella
India is the heart of South East Asia consider India their ultimate inspiration Versace, and The First Ladies, a chat
and the elephant is her jewel. The and their work with chikankari, resham show with India’s foremost celebrity
Majesty of the Divine Symbol is evoked and tharad embroidery is considered wives.
not through paint alone but also akin to art.
embedded in its very core through the Abu & Sandeep are committed to
use of exquisite heritage embroideries. The Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla label giving back. “We have been infinitely
has steadily worked its way into the blessed to achieve so much. It is a
Biography: global arena and the mid-nineties saw privilege to contribute towards helping
Abu and Sandeep met in August, them diversify into interior design, others achieve their dreams”. They are
1986 and instantly decided to join with the creation of their architectural passionate supporters of philanthropic
forces. Two men with a singular collection of furniture. Abu Jani and activities in the areas of health,
dream; “to create the finest.” Today, Sandeep Khosla are pure artists who women’s empowerment and wildlife.
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla is India’s straddle the dual worlds of fashion and Their relationship with Elephant Family
premier couture label. Neither of them architecture with consummate ease. is one to which they are fully dedicated.
possesses any formal qualifications in Their unique sense of aesthetics is
fashion or design, and their success firmly rooted and does not bow to the
is testament to the fact that creativity dictates of fashion. Design is more
is innate. The Abu Sandeep brand than a profession and they instead
is coveted for its classical appeal. see the regeneration of beauty as
Impossibly exquisite embroideries, something of a religion. They have
luxurious fabrics and effortless also hosted two television shows, Elephant no.50
34Lot 13
Kingdom
Rebecca Campbell
Inspiration: helped by the fact her mother was reputation as a main stream player in
Strutting peacocks, prowling tigers, a keen gardener. But it was her the field of decorative arts.
dancing cranes and even dung beetles three months in India that fired her
going about their daily business. imagination, in particular for Mughal In more recent years, Rebecca has
‘Kingdom’ is a celebration of some of miniatures with their rich earth colours had several solo shows including one
the birds, plants and animals that share and bold designs. This influence in America at the Chelsea Art Gallery,
the Asian elephant’s domain. remains the bedrock of much of her Palo Alto, California and in Mexico City.
work. She was also invited by the Chairman
Biography: of the English National Opera to take
Rebecca Campbell’s delightful, In 1991 she started a business part in the Discerning Eye Exhibition at
enigmatic and highly imaginative producing hand painted furniture and the Mall Galleries where she won the
paintings evoke a world of plants and murals, for which she found a ready Discerning Eye Purchase Prize.
animals that appear to be happily market, but she felt it too restrictive
confined within the boundaries of their for her artistic talents and turned her
own contented universe. Add a vivid attention to full time painting, though
sense of design that instantly captures she undertakes commissions for
the eye and you have paintings that murals. In 2002 she held her first solo
project immense appeal. London exhibition at the Park Walk
Gallery followed by a second in 2004
She was born in Stamford and grew with the delightful title, The Enchanted
up in Ireland where as a child she was Garden. All of Rebecca’s exhibitions
surrounded by gardens and animals, are successful and established her Elephant no.208
36Lot 14
The Paul Smith Elephant
Sir Paul Smith
Inspiration: Warhol, Kokoshka, David Bailey and love of tradition and the classics.
This multi stripe design is synonymous listened to the Rolling Stones, Miles Paul Smith is global - the collection is
with me and so it seemed like a natural Davis and much more. It was then Paul wholesaled to 75 countries and has 17
design to use to support this extremely knew he wanted to be a part of this shops in England.
worthy cause and of course it’s full colourful world of ideas
of optimism. and excitement. Paul continues to be an integral part of
the company; he is both designer and
Biography: Within two years, Paul was managing chairman. Continually involved in every
Paul Smith’s introduction into fashion his first boutique in Nottingham and aspect of the business, as a result,
was completely accidental. At the with a small amount of savings, opened Paul Smith Limited retains a personal
age of 16, with no career plans or a tiny shop in 1970. By 1976 Paul touch often lost in companies of a
qualifications, Paul was propelled showed his first menswear collection in similar size.
by his father into a menial job at the Paris under the Paul Smith label.
local clothing warehouse in his native
Nottingham. However his real passion In business for over 30 years Paul
was sport and his ambition was to Smith had established himself as the
become a professional racing cyclist, pre-eminent British designer. He has
until aged 17 years when cycling-mad an ability to anticipate, and even spark
Paul was in a terrible accident. off trends not only fashion but in the
wider context of popular culture. He
During his time in hospital, Paul made manages to transmit a genuine sense
new friends. They talked of Mondrian, of humour and mischief mixed with his Elephant no.173
38Lot 15
Untitled
Marc Quinn
Inspiration: highlighting how the conflict between bloom by being plunged into sub-zero
The flower on the back of the elephant the ‘natural’ and ‘cultural’ has a silicone.
is the new hope for the Asian elephant grip on the contemporary psyche. In
in India, from the work of 1999, Quinn began a series of marble Quinn has also explored the potential
Elephant Family. sculptures of amputees as a way of artistic uses of DNA, making a portrait
re-reading the aspirations of Greek and of a sitter by extracting strands of DNA
Biography: Roman statuary and their depictions and placing it in a test-tube. DNA
Marc Quinn’s wide-ranging oeuvre of an idealised whole. One such work Garden (2001), contains the DNA
displays a preoccupation with the depicted Alison Lapper, a woman who of over 75 plant species as well as 2
mutability of the body and the dualisms was born without arms, when she was humans: a re-enactment of the Garden
that define human life: spiritual and heavily pregnant. Quinn subsequently of Eden on a cellular level.
physical, surface and depth, cerebral enlarged this work to make it a major
and sexual. Using an uncompromising piece of public art for the fourth plinth Quinn’s diverse and poetic work
array of materials, from ice and of Trafalgar Square. meditates on our attempts to
blood to glass, marble or lead, Quinn understand or overcome the transience
develops these paradoxes into Other key themes in his work include of human life through scientific
experimental, conceptual works that genetic modification and hybridism. knowledge and artistic expression.
are mostly figurative in form. Garden (2000), for instance, is a Marc Quinn has exhibited in many
walk-through installation of impossibly important group and solo exhibitions
Quinn’s sculpture, paintings and beautiful flowers that will never decay, internationally.
drawings often deal with the distanced or his ‘Eternal Spring’ sculptures,
relationship we have with our bodies, featuring flowers preserved in perfect Elephant no.165
Photo: Herman Poort
40Lot 16
Jewel-ele
Tarun Tahiliani
Inspiration: signature designs are synonymous with Tarun Tahiliani and Ensemble stores
Elephants are the jewels of the ecology high fashion and impeccable refined in Mumbai.
of our subcontinent. sensibility, with style, craftsmanship,
quality and refinement as the defining
Biography: symbols.
The Tarun Tahiliani Studio was
something that evolved by chance - Tarun has shown collections around
a fun circuitous route motivated by the world including London, Moscow,
Tarun’s love of design -of anything Milan, Durban and Johannesburg
beautiful. The Design Studio creates Fashion Weeks and in 2006, the Italian
couture, diffusion, prêt-a-porter and Ministry of Foreign Affairs conferred
accessories, which are Indian in the prestigious award ‘Order of the
construct yet international in appeal. Star of Italian Solidarity’ on him. ‘F’
The collections embody an international Awards voted Tarun Tahiliani Studio to
look, which is contemporary, chic and be the best Women’s Wear Couture
personifies grace with élan. and he was also awarded the Life Time
Achievement Award.
Tarun Tahiliani’s talent has transformed
traditional Indian drapes, textiles and Tarun has dressed many of the world’s
techniques into modern, innovative, most beautiful women and Naomi
structured forms that translate into an Campbell, Goldie Hawn and Elizabeth
international contemporary look. His Hurley have been known to shop at the Elephant no.244
42Lot 17
Topographant
Solange Azagury-Partridge
Inspiration: Partridge started by working with new generation talismanic ornaments,
The map and topography of the costume jeweller, Nicky Butler of Butler layered with cultural depths, their
elephant in contour lines, showing the & Wilson, and then with decorative arts designs poised between pop art and
valleys and hills of the elephant’s body. dealer, Gordon Watson, where she ancient mysticism, irreverent and
discovered great masterpieces of 20th iconoclastic. Her huge, expressive
Biography: century jewellery. It was her decision in power rings, alive with colour, touched
“There comes a day in every woman’s 1987 to design her own engagement with playful fantasy, and rich in gems
life when she wakes up wanting ring, set with a rough diamond, and and enamels, were, and are still, the
diamonds,” believes Solange Azagury- much-admired, that propelled Solange creations most closely associated with
Partridge, the designer who woke up to into her creative adventure as a fine Solange’s dynamic design. Through her
diamonds and jewels earlier than most. jewellery designer. In 1990, she set up rings, Solange heralded the rediscovery
Her passion for design, her acute and her own company, and in 1995 opened of jewellery as the most powerful,
unconventional sense of beauty, and her first shop, in London’s Notting personal expression of individual style.
her instinctive understanding of the Hill, a luscious velvet-dark jewel-box
meaning and roles of jewellery have led of a boutique that quickly drew an Solange Azagury-Partridge has stores
her, from an early age, to her position international clientele of design-driven in London and New York and more
today as the leading, trailblazing devotees, including rock-stars and to come worldwide. Solange’s pieces
designer-jeweller of her generation. movie-moguls, all searching for a totally are part of the jewellery permanent
new and relevant creative expression collection of the Musee des Arts
With no formal jewellery training, for precious jewellery. Decoratifs in Paris and V&A in London.
and no prejudices or preconceptions,
Moroccan born Solange Azagury- Solange led the way forward with Elephant no.233
44Lot 18
Looking Me In The Eye
Rina Banerjee
Inspiration: Banerjee was born in Kolkata in 1963 global all seeking vision. This love of
The third eye defines the myth of and moved with her family to the UK substance, fabric and texture manifests
creation and destruction. That is what and then to USA. She completed a itself in her multi-media works in which
this elephant project is all about. Bachelor of Science degree in Polymer disparate objects such as taxidermy
Engineering at Case Western University alligators and wooden cots, fish bone,
Biography: in 1993 after took a job as a polymer ostrich eggs and light bulbs, amber
The Indian born, New York City based research chemist consulting for Dow vials are strung up or nestled in with
artist Rina Banerjee has a love of Chemical, Nasa, etc at Pennsylvania feathers and umbrellas, souveniers of
materials, heritage textiles, fashion, State University. After a few years low culture and high culture, antique
colonial objects and furnishings, abandoned the sciences to pursue her furnishings, icons of different faiths and
historical architecture, and their ability art, she completed the MFA degree plumes of fabric.
to disguise, animate, locate their program at Yale University School of
inherent meanings in her art work. Art in the area of Painting in 1995,
where she won prestigious awards for
Whilst sculptures and drawings, Drawing and Painting, Sckowhegan -
paintings and videos, which are a Yale Painting scholarship and Norfolk-
fusion of cultures and an explosion Yale summer program Drawing award.
of imagination, she says her work
explores “specific colonial moments Rina Banerjee’s experience growing up
that reinvent place and identity as in urban cites and in communities of
complex diasporic experiences.” mixed cultural/racial locations provides
a content in her work that delivers a Elephant no.212
46Lot 19
Seymour
Emma Elizabeth Kemp
Inspiration: animals, (and sometimes humans and
“The greatest joy in nature is the other humans) or simply comment on
absence of man” – Bliss Carman the struggle of man to find place and
meaning in the world.
Biography:
Emma is a second year student of Her work is non-medium specific,
Fine Art studying at Central Saint taking the form of painting,
Martins, the prestigious College of the photography or text pieces. Other
Arts nestled in the centre of London, works include a flock of tiny wax birds,
which has provided her with a culturally cast from beeswax and hung at varying
diverse environment in which to agitate lengths over naked flames; causing
current issues and provide creative the birds to slowly contort and melt
responses. until they fall from their position to the
floor; and a large Spanish pumpkin
Emma’s personal practice is infected with tropical fly larvae which
underpinned by a strong sense of was encased in a transparent glass
narrative, primarily concerning the box; over time moisture began to fog
futility in the search for the sublime and the glass as the fruit respired, evidence
subsequent tragedy of such a quest; of its breath, and eventually the larvae
often saddened by mans impact on started hatching until the box was filled
nature, many of her pieces address with swarming flies.
the imbalance between humans and Elephant no.98
48Lot 20
Phoolan
Carrie Reichardt aka The Baroness & Nick Reynolds
Inspiration: the revolution will be ceramicised and well-known faces, including Grace
CR – My inspiration came from the she can surely be labelled as one of Jones, Ronnie Biggs and Howard
David Attenborough quote, “the England’s true anarchist ceramicists. Marks. The last death mask he made
question is, are we happy to suppose She works from her amazing mosaic was that of an executed prisoner
that our grand-children may never be covered studios ‘The Treatment in Texas is to be featured in a new
able to see an elephant except in a Rooms’ in London, a building that documentary. He also plays in Alabama
picture book?” occupies an important place in the 3 and has recorded with other artists
hearts of its locals. ‘The Treatment including Zodiac Mindwarp, Seal and
NR – My inspiration is the horror and Rooms’ must be one of the country’s Lily Allen, to name but a few.
sickness I feel when I see pictures of most complete and important display of
elephants killed by poachers, farmers mosaics on public view, and is featured
and landmines. in books on the world’s great murals
and art pieces.
Biography:
Carrie Reichardt aka The Baroness Nick Reynolds has experienced life
has been a leader in the area of on both sides of the law, from being
subversive ceramics for many years. on the run with his Great Train Robber
As Kate Mikhail states in a recent father, to serving in the Navy during the
write up in The Observer: “Is she a Falklands War. He specialises in the
visionary muralist? A craftivist? An ancient art of making death masks and
anarchic artist? Reichardt is not one for he also runs the UK’s only company
labels...” The truth is Reichardt believes that makes them. He has cast many Elephant no.66
50Lot 21
Tommy Hilfiger Red Elephant
Tommy Hilfiger
Inspiration: Biography:
Inspired by popular culture, I combined For 25 years, Tommy Hilfiger has
red and green pop colours to design brought classic, cool, American apparel
a high gloss elephant with a Mohawk to consumers around the world. His
planter effect. This elephant is unique designs give these time-honored
as it continues to evolve throughout the classics a fresh look, and his discerning
Parade, while juxtaposing nature with taste has provided the foundation for
the unexpected. the growth of a global brand.
Under Hilfiger’s guidance, vision and
leadership as Principal Designer, the
Tommy Hilfiger Group has become
one of the very few globally recognised
designer brands offering a wide range
of American-inspired apparel and
accessories.
Elephant no.247
52Lot 22
Layla
Faiza Butt
Inspiration: Faiza joined the Slade School of Art Faiza has always created meaningful
Layla refers to the romantic Arabian in 1992 and completed her MA in work. Her elaborate drawings are
tale of ‘layla/mujnoon’. I created a Painting with a distinction award. obsessively crafted with passion and
modern version of it using a pink/black She was awarded a merit award for rigour and create surfaces that hover
lingerie colour scheme. Making a fun, outstanding student from UCL and somewhere between a photograph
festive version of the dark tragic heroin was then invited to teach at the Slade. and embroidery.
of ancient times, it was great fun giving She also did her further education
the blank canvas of an elephant teaching certificate from the Institute Born in a family of five sisters, feminist
a gender. of Education London and is a qualified themes have remained close to her
teacher. Faiza holds extensive heart. Her recent show at Vadhera Art
Biography: experience in art teaching at primary, Gallery, Delhi was very well received
Faiza was born in Lahore in 1972. She secondary and higher education level. and serves as a step towards improving
studied at Kinnaird High School from Faiza was awarded UNESCO- Indo-Pak relationship through cultural
1977-1987 and her further education ASHBERG bursary award in 1995. connections.
was taken at Queen Mary College,
where she received the Roll of Honour She was an artist-in-residence with Her works have been exhibited at
in her final result. She did her B.F.A at BARTEL arts trust in Durban for three various art fairs. She has exhibited in
the National College of Arts in 1993 months. During this time she held U.S.A, Europe, the Middle East and
with Honours and was awarded the workshops with women from shanty south Asia extensively. Her works are
Berger Gold medal for ‘Outstanding towns and talks at various museums in private and public collections.
Student of the Year’. and galleries, and produced a solo
show at the BAT centre. Elephant no.101
54Lot 23
The Singing Butler Rides Again
Jack Vettriano
Inspiration: the three paintings, which he entered raising project for Sports Relief, the
I created a now well known painting for the prestigious Summer Exhibition experience of which was captured in
called The Singing Butler and I thought at London’s Royal Academy and his a documentary broadcast on BBC1
it would be fun to feature him once new life as an artist began from that in March 2008. In March 2010,
more. The Elephant is also a tribute point on. Over the last twenty years, Vettriano’s exhibition, Days Of Wine
to the incredible founding Patron of interest in Vettriano’s work has grown And Roses opened in his hometown of
Elephant Family, the late HH Rajmata consistently. There have been sell-out Kirkcaldy in Scotland. The exhibition
of Jaipur. solo exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, received over 50,000 visitors in six
Hong Kong and New York. weeks. The exhibition will now tour to
Biography: London and Rome.
Born in Fife, Scotland in 1951, Jack 2004 was an exceptional year in
Vettriano left school at sixteen to Vettriano’s career; his best known
become a mining engineer. For his painting, The Singing Butler was sold
twenty-first birthday, a girlfriend gave at Sotheby’s for close to £750,000;
him a set of watercolour paints and, he was awarded an OBE for Services
from then on, he spent much of his to the Visual Arts and was the subject
spare time teaching himself to paint. of a South Bank Show documentary,
In 1989, he submitted two paintings to entitled ‘Jack Vettriano: The People’s
the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual Painter’.
exhibition; both were accepted and sold
on the first day. The following year, an Vettriano painted a portrait of Zara
equally enthusiastic reaction greeted Phillips as part of a charity fund- Elephant no.120
56Lot 24
Candy
Isaac Mizrahi
Inspiration: including a special award in 1996 books entitled The Adventures of
I was inspired by this incredible print I for the groundbreaking documentary Sandee the Supermodel and he has
developed for my Spa 2010 collection, “UNZIPPED.” His ready-to-wear appeared in films and television shows
which I called ‘Candy Store’. It’s full of collection is available at high-end including “Sex & the City,” “Ugly Betty”
bright, bright, bright colours. retailers and specialty boutiques and “Celebrity Jeopardy.” Isaac won
globally. Isaac’s designs are a favorite rave reviews in 1999 for his one-
Biography: among celebrities and frequently seen man, off-Broadway show Les Mizrahi.
Born in Brooklyn, New York Isaac on the red carpet. Television audiences have come to love
Mizrahi’s passion for design and Isaac as the host of his own series on
performance began at early age. Isaac has created costumes for both the Oxygen Network and the Style
As the son of a children’s clothing movies, theatre, dance and opera in Network and on Bravo’s “The Fashion
manufacturer and a fashion-obsessed collaboration with Mark Morris, Twyla Show.”
mother, Isaac was always encouraged Tharp, Mikhail Baryshnikov and The
to express his artistic talent. After a Roundabout Theatre Company among
youth spent staging puppet shows in others. In 2002 Isaac received the
his backyard and creating clothes for Drama Desk Award for his costume
his mum’s friends, Isaac studied acting designs for The Women. Most recently,
at the High School of Performing Arts he made his costume design debut at
and fashion design at Parsons. the New York Metropolitan Opera with
As a leader in the design business Orfeo ed Euridice.
for more than twenty years, Isaac has
been awarded four CFDA awards, In 1997 Isaac wrote a series of comic Elephant no.118
58Lot 25
Less is Morvi
Nicholas Haslam
Inspiration: he was made Art Director of “Show” dress designer Bellville-Sassoon, and
It seems entirely surreal that a world magazine, a forerunner of “Vanity the Emanuels when they were making
without elephants could be a possibility Fair”. At this time he starred with Lady Diana’s wedding dress. He has
so I was inspired by surrealists like Baby Jane Holzer in Andy Warhol’s also designed parties for The Prince
Christian Berard. Since my interior film “Kiss”. Throughout this period, he of Wales, Lord Rothschild, Simon and
design work is also close to my heart, was decorating his own and friends’ Jennifer Murray, Sir Evelyn and Lady
I worked an interior rendering over the apartments. In 1965, he collaborated de Rothschild, and Simon and Laura
form of the elephant in an effort to with Richard Avedon on a unique issue Weinstock.
make people smile. of Harper’s Bazaar.
NH Design operates worldwide,
Biography: In London in 1972, Nicky was asked and as well as recently publishing
Born September 27,1939 and to design and decorate a townhouse his memoirs, Nicky is also writing
educated at Private School and Eton for Lord Hesketh. This led to many his autobiography. He is a frequent
College, Nicky attended Corsham further commissions, and necessitated columnist for publications such as the
Court Art School before training at the setting up of a fully-fledged London Evening Standard and Sunday
various newspapers and British Vogue. architectural and design practice, NH Telegraph, The World of Interiors and
In 1961 Nicky went to New York with Design, of which diverse clients have The Spectator. Nicky Haslam has been
photographer David Bailey and the included, among many, Rod Stewart, a contributing editor of British Vogue
model Jean Shrimpton, and was hired Rupert Everett, Bryan Ferry, Ringo and Tatler for many years.
by American Vogue as assistant to Starr and Barbara Bach, a restaurant
the Art Director during the editorship on the King’s Road and a nightclub in
of Diana Vreeland. Two years later the Dorchester Hotel, salons for the Elephant no.185
60Lot 26
A Penny For Your Thoughts
Jane Morgan
Inspiration: in London. She studied at The Sir John editorial immediacy, providing the
The ideology for the Elephant Parade Cass School of Art, graduating with viewer with a thematic for discussion
project, borrows from the age-old a First Class Honours degree, before and elucidation.
adage of exchanging a penny for a achieving an MA in Fine Art.
thought. An elephant, it is said, never Jane’s photographic images were
forgets and by using this concept, we As a conceptual artist, Jane selected for Bloomberg New
in turn should not forget the elephant. is recognised for her narrative Contemporaries as part of the Liverpool
photographic interpretations, Biennial. Her work was also included
To examine this broad thematic, the diversifying with installation works. at The Royal College of Art, Lilly
elephant is resplendent, gilded entirely Each project is approached as a Oncology Exhibition, before travelling to
in thousands of one penny copper separate entity, allowing flexibility The Metropolitan Pavilion, New York.
coins. The gleaming coins attract a across a spectrum of media. The She was also a successful participant
natural curiosity, acting as a catalyst for versatility of her chosen projects, at The Royal Academy’s 2008 Summer
a wider public debate on conservation. challenge the boundaries of Exhibition.
The message is to encourage a greater conventional imagery, evoking an
sense of societal responsibility, leading intriguing understanding between
the viewer to consider the fragility of presentation and context. Her large-
the planet and the plight of the Asian scale works, acknowledged as
elephant. allegories, are indexical of the narrative
text she chooses to illustrate. Jane’s
Biography: methodology is consistent and highly
Jane Morgan is a British artist, based expressive; her technique is one of Elephant no.123
62Lot 27
Lover
Jeff Rowland
Inspiration: Print Association). After exhibiting in end of the film, relationships
The movies and love scenes. a Northumberland gallery, his artwork are ending, implied by the use of
was taken to the London Affordable falling rain.
Biography: Art Fair, where he had a sell out in one
After studying art at North Tyneside day. Things began to snowball and Jeff I like to let the viewer of the painting
College, Jeff became self employed has since exhibited in Edinburgh and in make their own mind up about what is
as a professional artist in 1984. He Dublin with equal success. happening with the characters in the
used this time to experiment with all composition. I like to add street signs
mediums including glass engraving, Jeff has always been fascinated in two pointing in two different directions
printing and painting, but always areas of art; the implicit meaning and suggesting that these two people are
seemed to be drawn back to oil the inspiration. He says, “I was inspired coming together, or are they splitting
paint. Even as a child he remembers to paint a rain soaked street through up? Maybe they are having an affair;
his grandmother using oil paint in a films I saw at the cinema. I watched is their love a secret or are they simply
paint by numbers set; this caught his The Bridges of Madison County, a going back to the bar where they first
attention and he was fascinated with film about an accidental relationship met? This is also helped by composing
the medium. between a man and woman. The film is the painting on a street corner. A view
always shot in beautiful sunshine, until of two roads meeting or two paths
In 2000 he did a HND in advertising/ the end, when the relationship has to crossing. In their relationship, has the
illustration as a visualiser, studying at end and the rain really falls, giving an bar become ‘their bar’? The viewer has
Newcastle. While there, he worked on implicit meaning that the relationship the answer.”
many live briefs and was successful is being washed away. The Road to
in winning a NEPA award (North East Perdition is another example. At the Elephant no.125
64Lot 28
Mammoth Metaphor
Peter Beard
Inspiration: extension of his diaries, as a way to burned diaries, taxidermy, African
An encapsulation of his life’s work, preserve and remember vacations and artifacts, books and personal
Peter Beard, in his own unique and favorite things. In 1957 he entered Yale memorabilia at the International Center
inimitable style spent two months University as a pre-medical student, but of Photography (his first one man
creating a masterpiece out of a collage perceiving humans as the main disease show) in New York City.
of ink drawings, blood and over 1500 soon switched to art history.
photographs spanning fifty years of In addition to creating original artwork,
documenting the tragedy of the African Trips to Africa in 1955 and 1960 Beard has befriended and collaborated
elephant. Disturbing and graphic, piqued his interests and after on projects with many artists including
quirky and cynical, Peter’s magnificent graduating from Yale, he returned to Andy Warhol, Andrew Wyeth, Richard
elephant re -defines the word ‘original’ Kenya. In the early 60s he worked Lindner, Terry Southern, Truman
and sends a clear message that not at Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, Capote, and Francis Bacon. In 1996,
only is mankind destroying this most during which time he photographed shortly after he was skewered and
iconic of species, but how closely both and documented the demise of over trampled by an elephant, his first major
the African and Asian elephant’s fate is 35,000 elephants and 5000 Black retrospective opened at the Centre
linked to man’s. Rhinos and published two The End of National de la Photographie in Paris,
the Game books (1965 & 1977). followed by other exhibits in Berlin,
Biography: His first exhibit was at the Blum London, Toronto, Madrid, Milan, Tokyo
Born in 1938 in New York City, Peter Helman Gallery In New York in and Vienna. He now lives in New York
Beard kept diaries at an early age. He 1975 and was followed in 1977 City, Montauk Point, and Kenya with
took his first pictures at twelve and by the landmark installation of his his wife Nejma and daughter Zara.
photography quickly evolved into an photographs, elephant carcasses, Elephant no.198
66Lot 29
Hathi
Manish Arora
Inspiration: stores worldwide. adjudged him to be the Best Indian
The elephant is a much revered and Fashion Designer and featured him
adored animal in India so I wanted Awards include the best Women’s on the cover of its March 2006 issue.
to make my elephant a colourful and Prêt Designer at the first ever Indian Collaborations include make up
gentle mascot from India. Fashion Awards held in Bombay and and cosmetics giant MAC, Reebok,
the designer’s choice for best collection Swatch, NIVEA, Good Earth and
Biography: award at Miami Fashion Week. Crystallized Swarovski Elements and
Manish Arora launched his Label Manish had a successful debut at the he has even hosted his own TV show
“Manish Arora” and started retailing in London Fashion Week in September on Discovery Travel and Living. Most
India in 1997. Since then he has been 2005 and received an overwhelming recent achievements include being
a front runner in the fashion industry, response from the press as well as inducted into the Chambre Syndicale
with many achievements including the buyers. He opened his flagship de la Prêt à Porter, France and invited
representing India at Hong Kong store in December 2005 at Lodhi by the Ministry of Culture, France,
Fashion Week and participating at the Colony Market in New Delhi. Manish to showcase a retrospective of his
first ever India Fashion Week held in also exhibited some of his work at the designs at the Palais Royale in Paris.
New Delhi. In 2001 Manish launched Victoria & Albert Museum, London for
his Label “Fish Fry” and showed this an exhibition called “Global Local” in
collection in six leading cities in India. association with the British Council,
His first flagship store Manish Arora India.
Fish Fry opened in New Delhi and he
also has stored in Mumbai and New A coveted fashion jury in a leading
Delhi. He is stocked at 75 well known Indian publication OUTLOOK Elephant no.164
68Lot 30
Ampersand
Luca Boonkerd Kaewdee
Inspiration: Biography:
I work a lot with iron and I like to use Born15th January 1975, Luca studied
the parts I have lying around. This gave at Chiang Mai University and achieved
me the idea to create the Ampersand a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Major
elephant, a robotic elephant that would in Sculpture. His recent achievements
never become extinct. include creating his own business,
Luka Art Design.
Elephant no.8
70Lot 31
Ferrous
Michael Howells
Inspiration: advertising campaigns, including those of additional projects ranging from
Decay, urban, lost horizons. for Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. producing Kate Moss’ 30th birthday
‘The Beautiful & The Damned’ to an
Biography: Howells is equally acclaimed for his imaginative strand of the interior of
A production designer and art director work in the performing arts. His career Comme des Garcons’ Dover Street
working both in film and in fashion, in film boasts production design for Market to set design for a Gwen
Michael Howells is credited with titles including ‘Bright Young Things’ Stefani’s ‘Love. Angel. Music. Baby’
realising some of the most spectacular with Stephen Fry, ‘Shackleton’ with video.
and ambitious sets in either field. Charles Sturridge, ‘About Time Too’
and ‘Miss Julie’ with Mike Figgis, Howells’ exhibitions include
Closely aligned with many of the ‘An Ideal Husband’, ‘Emma’ starring Ferragamo’s Cinderella (1998) at
highest-profile practitioners in fashion, Gwyneth Paltrow, and ‘Nanny McPhee’ the Florence Biennale and ‘Hats: An
Howells has designed numerous starring Emma Thompson. Howells’ Anthology by Stephen Jones’ exhibition
sets for Christian Dior and own theatre design credits include MSM/ at the V&A (2009). In 2007 Howells
name fashion shows. Howells has DV8 Physical Theatre at The Royal won the Prix d’Excellence de la Mode
also realised catwalk presentations Court, ‘Towards Poetry’ for The Royal in Paris and the first Isabella Blow
for Lacroix and McQueen. Creative Ballet, ‘Derdemon’ for the Statsoper, award for Fashion Creator of the Year
relationships with photographers Mario Berlin, ‘Julius Tomb’ for Mark Baldwin from the British Fashion Council. He
Testino, Patrick Demarchelier and Company and ‘Constant Speed’ is also the Associate Designer of the
particularly a longstanding collaboration celebrating Einstein’s Centenary for Rambert Dance Compnay.
with Nick Knight, have seen Howells the Rambert Ballet, 2005. Such
create sets for many of the major diverse projects have led to an array Elephant no.49
72silent auction
Life-size oil painting of Tara by Richard Symonds
Richard was born in 1969 Surrey, painting of an African bull elephant This stunning piece of work will be
England. On leaving school he worked called “Tembo”. It sold for a staggering displayed and available to buy via
extensively around the Middle East $100,000.00 to a private collector silent auction.
and North America for the military with a large donation from the
before returning to his Surrey home sale going directly to The Born
to develop his skills in a completely Free Foundation.
different field, Art and Conservation.
Entirely self taught and pursuing This year, Richard has supported
a string of commissions including Elephant Family by painting ‘Hope’, www.richardsymonds.com
amongst others, Harley-Davidson, the his elephant for Elephant Parade
London Philharmonic Orchestra and London 2010 and with conservation
the BBC, he decided to concentrate being such a passion, Richard
solely on painting and drawing wild approached Elephant Family with the
animals in their natural habitat. offer of painting another extraordinary
life-size elephant on canvas; Tara.
His work can be found in private
and corporate collections throughout Tara is the Asian elephant who
the world including New York, Los enchanted the charismatic travel
Angeles, Kenya, Botswana, South writer Mark Shand, and inspired him
Africa, Russia, Hong Kong and to help set up the charity, Elephant
Poland. Richard’s enthusiasm and Family - the official charity of Elephant
commitment to wildlife is vividly Parade worldwide. Tara, which means
illustrated in his work, and he has a star in Hindi, is affectionately credited
rare ability to capture the true essence as the original founder of Elephant
of each animal he paints. Family and now lives happily at Kipling
Camp, India, enjoying the affection
In 2006 Richard hit the headlines in and attention of many delighted guests
all the daily newspapers and radio each year. Painting measures approx.10.2 feet x 7.2 feet
when he completed his life-size oil Sepia oil on canvas
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