On Tuesday, May 15, The G2 Gallery will present Wild on Earth: Piper Mackay, a solo exhibition focusing on the wildlife of the African continent. A stunning set of emotional images captures a range of African wildlife including elephants, zebras, and cheetahs by Piper Mackay, the only known solo female safari leader in Africa.
Piper shoots documentary style images while in the field in Africa and then uses special software by Nik Filters to bring the emotion she felt in the presence of wildlife to her finished product. The rich tones and sepia shades bring a glow to the dust of places like the Serengeti and Amboseli.
Featured in the exhibit is Cheetah Mother and Cub, which appeared in the January 2012 edition of National Geographic and was a part of the 2008 Nature’s Best photo exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute. Among all of her images, Piper states “Cheetah Mother and Cub is the one I’m most emotionally invested in,” in part because she spent an entire week observing and photographing the interactions between mother and cub. The mortality rate for cheetah cubs is 95% and, according to Piper “this mother was especially protective of her sole surviving cub and watching them together was something so incredibly special.”
The exhibit will be comprised of 16 of Piper’s original prints in sizes ranging from 20×30” to 40×60”. All proceeds from art sales will be donated to support African wildlife. Piper hopes that her images will inspire viewers to “protect what’s right in the world.” The area in which Piper photographs faces many challenges. “The Serengeti is in so much trouble,” she says, “rhino and elephant poaching are at an all time high, the Masai Mara River is drying up, and a proposed road that would affect the migration” all bode trouble for the wildlife that Piper says makes the region so magical. “It’s very empowering to experience seeing these animals in the wild,” she explains, “it makes you come back and feel like the world is fake.”
This show runs May 15 through June 24, 2012
An artist’s reception is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, from 6:30–9:00 PM.
Admission is $5 at the door and RSVP is required to RSVP@theg2gallery.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a non-profit dedicated to protecting and preserving African wilderness, particularly endangered species such as black rhinos and elephants. Drew Fellman, writer and producer of the acclaimed IMAX film Born To Be Wild, will speak at the reception about the work of the Sheldrick Trust, which is featured promiently in the film.
The G2 Gallery is located at 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291-3742
Phone: 310.452.2842 E-mail info@theg2gallery.com
Contact: Diane Shader Smith 310.386.6803 email: dianeshadersmith@gmail.com
Gia LaRussa 310.428.7752 email: gia@theg2gallery.com
About Piper Mackay
Piper Mackay’s work as a photographer is focused primarily on the continent of Africa, its magnificent wildlife, and its diverse social milieu. Piper left the fashion world to focus on her photography full time and since her initial trip, she has been back 8 times and to 8 different countries, mostly in the eastern part of the continent. Piper’s career in photography has been steadily ascending since she took up the medium in 2005. Her images have been displayed at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, The Museum of History and Industry, and Art Wolfe Gallery. She is active with various NGOs working for humanitarian and conservation causes as a volunteer photographer.
About The G2 Gallery
Established in March 2008, The G2 Gallery in Venice, California, is a green art space with a dedicated focus on nature and wildlife photography. In keeping with G2’s commitment to supporting arts and the environment, the gallery presents exhibitions with eco-conscious themes, donates the proceeds from all art sales to environmental charities and hosts events that bring awareness of critical issues to our community.
By Jim McKinniss
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