Artwork title : Dehorned Rhino

The symbol of the Rhino is it's horn. This also marks the greatest threat to it's survival. There are a little over 26,000 rhinos left and it is estimated that 1000 horns are illegally traded each year. There are worldwide programs in place to dehorn rhinos so that they are less likely to be poached so that their declining population can stabilize and eventually, increase.

The theme this year is free. I wanted to display work that showed a consequence of freedom. That with liberation sometimes comes sacrifice.

Origami is made with paper that becomes much stronger as it folds into its final form. The pose of the rhino is to represent its loss.

This work is to show beauty, freedom and strength as well as fragility, pain and grief.