Everyday we have the opportunity to take in natural beauty and the wonder of nature—whether it’s the warmth of the sun on a breezy afternoon, the crash of ocean waves, or the gentle hum of a bee. These small moments can serve to remind us that we only have one Earth whose delicately interlacing ecosystems can benefit or suffer depending on actions and choices that humans make. As students of the creative and cultural industries we should be challenged to see this Earth we inhabit in new ways, expanding our awareness and shifting our perspectives. One way we can do this is by how we perceive and conceive of Art in the world. Today, in an effort to do just that, we are focusing on The Great Elephant Migration Exhibits. This collection of life-sized elephant sculptures is wrapping up its world tour in the United States with dates that currently run through June 2025. The installation works to remind us of the natural coexistence between humans and animals.
A community of 200 artisans in southern India, known as The Coexistence Collective, is responsible for this mammoth traveling exhibition, which blends creativity, activism, and art in a remarkable way, according to NPR. With stops in U.S. locations such as Newport, R.I., New York City, Miami, the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and soon Los Angeles, a herd of 100 life-sized sculptures of Indian elephants has begun its grand migration across America.
The Great Elephant Migration, is designed to promote the coexistence of humans and animals. With only about 50,000 asian elephants left in the wild, they are increasingly endangered—a crisis highlighted by organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature.
While the artworks first debuted in London in 2021—where some of the lucky sculptures found permanent homes at the gardens of royal residences—they’ve since made their way across the pond. In the U.S. all proceeds from the sale of any elephant sculpture will be donated to conservation organizations that are often connected to the region of that host city. As Sarah Kuta of Smithsonian Magazine noted, in Newport, Rhode Island, proceeds from the elephant sales will support Save the Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring Narragansett Bay.
Admirers of these awe inspiring sculptures have the opportunity to own one if they can afford the price tag. The elephant sculptures are available for purchase, with prices ranging from $8,000 to $22,000, depending on their size, according to NPR’s report on the movement. In cities like New York, the initiative has really taken off—so much so that all the baby elephants have completely sold out.
The creativity doesn’t stop there. As also highlighted by NPR, these stunning elephant sculptures are crafted from lantana camara, an invasive weed that poses a significant threat to elephant habitats. This pesky plant is causing elephants to leave their natural environments, forcing them onto tea and coffee plantations where they come into closer contact with humans. This not only disrupts the elephants’ lives but also increases the potential for human-wildlife conflict. By using this invasive plant in their art, the artisans are not only showcasing their creativity but also raising awareness about the challenges these magnificent creatures face.
“Organizers hope the exhibition serves as a reminder that humans must learn to coexist with wild animals. This idea is especially important since human activities—including climate change and development—are primarily responsible for animals’ habitat loss.”
– Sarah Kuta of Smithsonian Magazine
What could be more significant than seeing elephants roaming through America’s busiest cities? As Ruth Ganesh, trustee of Elephant Family USA and co-founder of The Coexistence Collective, explains, this initiative was specifically created with the U.S. in mind to highlight what it means for Americans to share their environment with wildlife, per NPR.
These beautifully crafted elephants aren’t meant to be mass-produced. Instead, artists from the Soliga, Bettakurumba, Kattunayakan, and Paniya communities in India created the sculptures based on elephants they’ve encountered personally. They recognize that each animal has its own unique personality, adding depth and authenticity to their work.
What began as one project is blossoming into another. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the organizers of the exhibition are also backing an initiative “to shred lantana camara and convert it into biochar, a type of charcoal made from organic waste. By the end of next year, they aim to sequester 2,625 tons of carbon and create over 500 jobs for Indigenous communities in India.” This initiative not only strengthens the economy but also provides much-needed job opportunities for those in need.
In our increasingly globalized world, it’s crucial to take responsibility for our actions, especially as certain regions become uninhabitable due to human destruction or climate change. While a single animal may pose a threat, an entire species should not be judged, especially when we intrude on their habitats. Ultimately, The Great Elephant Migration serves as a powerful reminder that animals can thrive alongside humans if we learn to tolerate and respect their presence. It underscores the importance of finding ways for both animals and humans to share the same space harmoniously.
This is just one way the creative and cultural industries are transforming our current culture. As you’ve seen, this movement began as one initiative and has since evolved into something much larger—this is the essence of CCI in action. It’s inspiring to witness these projects evolve in real time, especially when they address critical issues like wildlife conservation. We hope you enjoyed this read today! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, if you’ve encountered these beautiful statues, and lastly – don’t forget to keep us updated on all your CCI-related adventures!
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