At home in Virginia….

At the Virginia Zoo....

Hey, remember that elephant in the ferry line (click here to go retro on that…) – well, here’s the latest on where Matthew Gray Palmer’s incredible sculpture ended up:

Matthew’s latest public commission was unveiled January 17th 2010 at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA. The City of Norfolk issued an international Call for Artists for a public artwork for the Virginia Zoo.  The artist had to pitch their concept on one 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper.  Approximately 50 artists submitted proposals and Matthew’s proposal was selected.

“As visitors approach the main entrance of the Virginia Zoo they are greeted by a sculpture of a massive life-size African Elephant, its trunk inquisitively raised with a large golden butterfly perched on its end. Upon closer inspection the visitor discovers that the elephant is in fact composed entirely of thousands of butterflies of varying species, shapes and sizes. The visitor soon observes that the wings of the golden butterfly are in turn made of elephants.

Complimentary to the educational and conservation initiatives of the Virginia Zoo, the artwork aims to illustrate in a playful fashion our interconnection with all that is. Highlighting our differences as well as our commonalities, from the largest terrestrial animal to delicate wind bound insects, there is recognition that what we do to each other, our planet and its diverse ecology, we do to ourselves.”

To view a portfolio of this incredible sculpture, please click here to visit the website.

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