A new exhibition Where Did All the Animals Go? is on display at the Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne featuring Biro drawings by over 600 children from across the globe.
Where did all the Animals Go? by Jane Lee McCracken exhibits printed vinyls of original Biro drawings by over 600 children from North East England, California, Kenya, Guyana and Malaysia, who participated in Jane’s workshops.
The drawings portray some of the world’s most vulnerable species, many of which face extinction. Evocative and uninhibited, each portrait depicts an individual being that plays a vital role in its ecosystem, while contemplating what their eyes have seen. This exhibition provides an opportunity to form connections with each species, through the creative response of a generation of young people.
Also on display are large format prints of Jane’s original Biro drawings Butterfly Lover and Khan.
Founded in 2019, in partnership with international wildlife charity Born Free, and working with dynamic teams of educators and conservationists from England, Kenya, California, Guyana and Malaysia, Jane’s Where did all the Animals Go? project aims to encourage the growth of collective responsibility towards wildlife conservation and welfare while giving children, communities and wildlife, both locally and globally, a voice.
Jane Lee McCracken, Artist and Where Did All the Animals Go? Founder said:
“Through drawing, education and the opportunity of self-expression, I hope to generate individual compassion towards animals and the environment while encouraging collective responsibility to further cherish and conserve the planet’s remaining wildlife for future generations: if we care, we want to conserve.”
Charlie Baker, Born Free Education Officer, said:
“Born Free is thrilled to be partnered with the Where Did All The Animals Go? project. It is so exciting to have seen how engaged children across the globe have been, drawing and learning about both iconic animals, and lesser-known endangered species. On every continent, wildlife is coming under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, unsustainable exploitation of resources and human-wildlife conflict. This project inspires children to care for all our wild neighbours and understand their importance within the natural landscape, from the African lion to the giraffe weevil.”
Dr. Kate Holden, Learning Officer at the Great North Museum: Hancock, said:
“We are delighted to showcase the work of children from North East England and around the world in our Living Planet gallery. Their reflection on the state of nature highlights the need to act now to secure the future of the planet they are inheriting.”
Where did all the Animals Go? is open daily with free entry. Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm. Saturday, 10am – 4pm. Sunday, 11am – 4pm.
A free drawing workshop for families will take place on 17 August, 11am – 3pm. Find this and other events at www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
