Animal Welfare and Art Activism
How FOUR PAWS is using art to spread awareness and engagement
Art has long been a means of communicating ideas. Since the cave paintings of early humans, we have been using art to express and share ideas, concepts and emotions.
Art activism is the confluence of art and activism: Or the culmination of artistic expression with meaningful messages in order to bring about social change. Art activism can prove resourceful and effective in that it can transcend languages and cultures; it can reach people where they live, work or travel. Art, by definition, can also take many forms from paintings and sculptures, dance and performances, film and music, experiential and sensory installations, among many other forms.
Animal protection and the art world share many similarities as they both can illicit strong emotions, cross socioeconomic barriers and can also bring people together. FOUR PAWS has utilized art in order to reach new audiences, inspire curiosity and discussion, and engage and move viewers, all to spread awareness about an animal welfare message or issue.
Explore our timeline to see examples of where FOUR PAWS employs art activism.
Timeline of our Work through Art
The Great Elephant Migration
FOUR PAWS is proud to partner with Elephant Family on a traveling art installation featuring 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, each meticulously crafted by talented indigenous artisans from India. This inspiring exhibit aims to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare and coexistence efforts worldwide. FOUR PAWS is especially honored to name one of the matriarch elephants in the migration after the real-life elephant, Madhubala. Learn more here.
Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop become FOUR PAWS Ambassadors
Lamb Chop—the legendary TV star—and her "sister" Mallory Lewis, have officially joined FOUR PAWS’ Ambassador program as our very first Lamb Ambassadors. Arguably the most famous sock puppet in the world, the puppet/ ventriloquist duo are lending their voice to discuss Live Lamb Cutting through FOUR PAWS' Be Their Voice campaign. Learn more here.
Dethroned investigates our relationship with Big Cats
In collaboration with Terra Mater Studios and Four Corners Films & Photography, FOUR PAWS presents ‘Dethroned’, an award-winning documentary that sheds light on and invites viewers to examine their relationship with big cats. Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski offers a thoughtful and beautifully crafted investigation which asks: what becomes of us when we destroy all that is sacred? Learn more here.
FOUR PAWS Presents Eating the Future
This ground-breaking documentary, narrated by Bafta-winning Mia McKenna-Bruce, investigates and exposes the realities behind factory farms. Searching for glimmers of hope in the darkness, we hear from farmers, doctors, scientists, animal and food activists, and slaughterhouse workers, discovering what it will take to improve the lives of all beings trapped and harmed in this vicious cycle. This film connects animal welfare, factory farming, pandemics and human health, among many other themes. Learn more here.
Sunny the Lamb Animated Film
Through their imaginative story of Sunny, an Australian Merino lamb, people can learn the harsh reality of live lamb cutting. With the help of Hollywood actors Danielle Macdonald and Scott Evans, Catsnake: The Story Agency, and 3D stop motion animations from Bewilder, Sunny's story comes to life, with the hope of inspiring millions to be Sunny’s voice and demand a ban on live lamb cutting. Learn more here.
Manhattan Mural Raises Awareness for Endangered Tigers and Big Cats
Commissioned by FOUR PAWS, the mural, titled Beyond Borders: The Beauty and Peril of the tiger, painted by renowned wildlife muralist Sonny Sundancer, is a part of the organization’s #BreaktheViciousCycle campaign calling for the end of the commercial trade of all big cats in South Africa.
Creating Art for Big Cats
Boston-based renowned wildlife artist, Sophy Tuttle, created a masterpiece based on the real-life lion Mario who resides at our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Commissioned to raise awareness about the need for continued protection of big cats, the portrait highlights FOUR PAWS’ global work to rescue and protect big cats like Mario, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Learn more here.
FOUR PAWS partners with the Walt Disney Family Museum
In Spring of 2022, the museum debuted its first Cause Awareness exhibition, Creative Conservation: The Art of Endangered Animals. This original exhibition features painted creations by rescued and rehabilitated animals and wildlife-inspired artwork contributed by human collaborators, including FOUR PAWS photographs of animals in our sanctuaries. Learn more here.
Cake the size of a lion
Taking over 400 hours to design, build and bake, a custom-made, huge cake was revealed in South Africa in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of lions in that nation and across the world. FOUR PAWS joined world-renowned cake artist Dot Klerck from Eat Cake Party, along with Elda Thomas from South African Wildlife Project, to bake and build the massive cake of a pride of lions. Learn more here.