dirge - transformation by Anja Semling

An African elephant is depicted in surrealist style on a large format of 100 x 120 cm, stretching upwards. What is special about it are the elephant bones scattered around its feet and the butterfly wings attached to its head as ears. The colours of both the elephant and the wings are authentic and are taken from the "Little Bear" butterfly, as is the pattern.

The picture shows a dead and a living elephant at the same time: death in the form of bones and torn skin. This symbolises the tragic fate that this species has had to suffer on a massive scale for decades; both physically and psychologically. Many elephants are traumatised, if they do not die immediately, in the hunt for their ivory, which is still traded despite being banned internationally. The greed for ivory continues unabated and is immense, especially on the Asian market. At least 20,000 elephants die an agonising death every year because of their tusks, which are later sold as carved decorative objects, for example.

But there is hope in the form of the wings depicted, which seem to pull the elephant upwards. Elephants are very powerful animals, but also very sensitive. This animal species is loved, honoured and protected by many people around the world. It is precisely this protection that the wings represent. There are projects, protection programmes, orphanages and infirmaries that ensure the survival of elephants, both in Africa and in Asia.

The butterfly wings in combination with the elephant also symbolise the fact that every (animal) species is unique. Every species has its place on earth and should be protected.

This painting is certainly one of my most profound elephant paintings to date. But if you want to make the public aware of the drama that these marvellous animals are subjected to, it is the pictures that shake people up.