A painting by Richmond artist Jaci Stroud has been longlisted for one of the world’s leading wildlife art competitions, helping shine a spotlight on the plight of the critically endangered black rhinoceros.
Jaci, a regular artist at The Station in Richmond, has been recognised in this year’s Sketch for Survival, the international “art for conservation” competition organised by Explorers Against Extinction.
Now celebrating its 10th year, the free-to-enter competition invites artists from around the world to submit original artwork featuring threatened species or wild spaces. A panel selects 100 works for a touring exhibition alongside pieces by professional and celebrity artists before they are auctioned in November to raise money for frontline conservation and education projects. Since its launch, the initiative has donated around half a million dollars to conservation efforts worldwide.
Jaci’s longlisted entry, Watch out – Rhino about!, is an A4 portrait of a black rhinoceros, a species classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Created from a reference photograph by wildlife photographer Anna Veyard, the painting was completed in the early hours before the competition deadline. Having grown up in Kenya, Jaci said the subject holds particular significance for her.
She said: “I painted him from a fabulous reference photograph and wanted him to be larger than life and full of character.
“Black rhinoceros are critically endangered, but in Kenya, where I grew up, there are glimmers of hope – their numbers are slowly increasing thanks to sustained conservation efforts, so together we really can reverse their decline.
“To be longlisted for such a wonderful initiative in its 10th year is a real honour, and on a personal note I am finally returning to Africa this year after nearly 50 years. If I’m lucky, I will see a black rhinoceros again.”
Jaci is well known at The Station, where she leads popular art workshops and regularly works as an artist in residence at Goosewing Studios. Her painting will now go forward for judging as the competition progresses.
Gemma Lord, chief executive of Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, which owns and operates The Station, said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Jaci.
“As a regular artist in residence at Goosewing Studios in The Station and the tutor behind several of our workshops, she brings enormous warmth, skill and inspiration to everyone who paints alongside her.
“To see her recognised on a global stage by Sketch for Survival is richly deserved. That her painting also shines a light on the plight of the critically endangered black rhinoceros makes it all the more special. We couldn’t be prouder.”
