An art exhibition opened this week which aims to shed light on animals and wildlife being exploited.
The artist, Sophie Green, exhibits her latest collection, ‘Commodities’, at The Vaults near Waterloo station. The proceeds from sales will go towards conservation efforts undertaken by charities, like The Born Free Foundation.
What is The Saddest Show on Earth?
‘The Saddest Show on Earth’ is the name of the art exhibition, but also a piece of art in the collection. The art depicts a circus elephant with a strap over its face with the words, “the saddest show on earth” written on its head.
Artist, Sophie Green says “This is my favourite piece of the commodities collection because it’s a metaphor for the whole exhibition.’
Sophie Green
The exhibition is held in a quiet, spacious room with dimmed lights and brief descriptions of each piece. The animals include a polar bear, tiger, elephant and more.
According to Green, the collections showcase some of the world’s most exploited animals sitting miserably on pedestals. Each sit in front of a clinically white background to highlight the difference to the animal’s natural habitat.
“a world in which we exhibit the most beautiful creatures on this planet like exhibits in a museum is sadly not too far removed from the world we currently live in – a world where we use animals and nature for our entertainment, fashion, sport, food and labour.”
Sophie Green on her exhibition
Painting of a polar bear
Animal welfare in the world
According to Our World in Data, “on average, there has been a large decline across tens of thousands of wildlife populations since 1970.”
The latest research finds that direct pressures — including deforestation, habitat loss, hunting, overfishing, and other environmental impacts of food production — are the biggest threats to wildlife.
For WWF Chief Scientist Rebecca Shaw, “sharp declines in wildlife populations are a clear and urgent warning. These steep drops signal that nature is unravelling and becoming less resilient.
Painting of a tiger
Activism or art?
Sophie Green says she “doesn’t consider herself much of an activist.” Instead, she wants her art to be a more nuanced platform where people can take a step back and ask themselves how we treat wildlife and nature.
When asked about how this might contribute to real change – other than the proceeds of the art sales – Green said:
“A victory could be at least one person coming and making a change to their lifestyle, travel, entertainment or clothing.”
Sophie Green
The artist finds herself often being sent videos and images, some including monkeys in dresses, from supporters. She highlights how cruelty and exploitation like this is not as well-known as it should be.
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Headline‘The Saddest Show on Earth’: art or activism?
Short Headline'The Saddest Show on Earth' helps wildlife and nature
StandfirstA new art exhibition in London aims to raise awareness for wildlife and nature
An art exhibition opened this week which aims to shed light on animals and wildlife being exploited.
The artist, Sophie Green, exhibits her latest collection, ‘Commodities’, at The Vaults near Waterloo station. The proceeds from sales will go towards conservation efforts undertaken by charities, like The Born Free Foundation.
What is The Saddest Show on Earth?
‘The Saddest Show on Earth’ is the name of the art exhibition, but also a piece of art in the collection. The art depicts a circus elephant with a strap over its face with the words, “the saddest show on earth” written on its head.
Artist, Sophie Green says “This is my favourite piece of the commodities collection because it’s a metaphor for the whole exhibition.’
Sophie Green
The exhibition is held in a quiet, spacious room with dimmed lights and brief descriptions of each piece. The animals include a polar bear, tiger, elephant and more.
According to Green, the collections showcase some of the world’s most exploited animals sitting miserably on pedestals. Each sit in front of a clinically white background to highlight the difference to the animal’s natural habitat.
“a world in which we exhibit the most beautiful creatures on this planet like exhibits in a museum is sadly not too far removed from the world we currently live in – a world where we use animals and nature for our entertainment, fashion, sport, food and labour.”
Sophie Green on her exhibition
Painting of a polar bear
Animal welfare in the world
According to Our World in Data, “on average, there has been a large decline across tens of thousands of wildlife populations since 1970.”
The latest research finds that direct pressures — including deforestation, habitat loss, hunting, overfishing, and other environmental impacts of food production — are the biggest threats to wildlife.
For WWF Chief Scientist Rebecca Shaw, “sharp declines in wildlife populations are a clear and urgent warning. These steep drops signal that nature is unravelling and becoming less resilient.
Painting of a tiger
Activism or art?
Sophie Green says she “doesn’t consider herself much of an activist.” Instead, she wants her art to be a more nuanced platform where people can take a step back and ask themselves how we treat wildlife and nature.
When asked about how this might contribute to real change – other than the proceeds of the art sales – Green said:
“A victory could be at least one person coming and making a change to their lifestyle, travel, entertainment or clothing.”
Sophie Green
The artist finds herself often being sent videos and images, some including monkeys in dresses, from supporters. She highlights how cruelty and exploitation like this is not as well-known as it should be.
