After the successful launch of the Love Is Wild fine art photography exhibition in 2015, last month Project C:CHANGE launched and curated the first annual Love is Wild : Walls of Change campaign, bringing together two of the world’s pre-eminent street artists, Shepard Fairley and Hopare, to spread the message of hope and raise awareness about illegal wildlife trade on the streets of Hong Kong.
Also attending the launch were renowned UN Messenger of Peace, Dame of the British Empire Dr Jane Goodall, Hong Kong-based artist and activist Sean Lee-Davies (Hybryd), and Hong Kong-based artists Alana Tsui, Adam Lo and Szabotage, as well as Maasai Warrior conservationist, Daniel Ole Sambu from Big Life Foundation Kenya.
Project C:CHANGE is a media platform dedicated to creating awareness about endangered wildlife, environmental degradation and promoting conservation. Founded in 2010 by photographer, filmmaker and activist, Sean Lee-Davies, the aim is to raise awareness about conservation in Hong Kong and Asia. The initiative engages media and celebrities to help elevate people’s connection to the natural world, while empowering local communities to protect their natural resources.
In November 2015, Sean Lee-Davies launched the Love is Wild fine art photography exhibition together with a coffee table book, to raise awareness about the sixth mass extinction and the illegal wildlife trade in ivory, rhino horns and shark fins. Works included some of Hong Kong’s most famous celebrities and models including Jennifer Tse, Mikki Yao, Jocelyn Luko-Sandstorm and Gaile Lok.
For the big event this November, Project C:CHANGE teamed up with the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation (HOCA) to have Shepard Fairley, aka Obey Giant, create a one-off, site-specific mural entitled Protect Peace Elephant to help raise awareness about the ivory trade.
Another globally recognized street artist, Hopare represented by Avenue Des Arts, collaborated with Hybryd to create murals featuring endangered species such as sharks, dolphins and pangolins around the streets of Sai Ying Pun, as well as unique portraits of Dr. Jane Goodall and honorable guest and actress Niki Chow. The murals were made with the support of The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong.
Hopare also painted a striking rooftop mural in Sheung Wan of Maasai Warrior conservationist, Daniel Ole Sambu, bringing the message of wildlife conservation right into the heart of Hong Kong in an image that has garnered a wide following on social media.
Mural Locations:
Ki Ling Lane
Chung Ching Street
Western Street
134-138 Jervois Street
Sai Yin Pun, Hong Kong MTR Exit B3
