when elephants paint
It all started in Thailand when two Russian painters, Komar and Melamid, began the task of teaching elephants to paint in order to raise funds for elephant conservation. Asian elephant numbers were, and are still, dwindling at an alarming rate due to the rapid destruction of their natural habitat. Paradoxically, the elephants themselves often play a part. These noble beasts have been domesticated in Southeast Asia for nearly four thousand years and employed, amongst other things, to assist in the transportation of felled trees and logs.
Elephant Art was established to come to the rescue of these elephants by promoting and distributing the works of elephant artists to raise funds for elephant conservation.
Now for the first time, Amanjiwo, in conjunction with the Asian Elephant Art Conservation project, has established the Borobudur Elephant Art Foundation to help and support our Sumatran elephants, resident at Borobudur.
The star of the show is Sela, an elephant who has her own open air studio situated close to the west side of Borobudur. Envisage gazing towards the magnificence of Borobudur while perched on the top of a hill amongst beautiful tropical vegetation, and before you Sela, brush in trunk, creates what can only be described as art in its purest form. For a small contribution Amanjiwo’s guests will receive their painting with authentic certification stamped by the Borobudur Elephant Art Foundation. All proceeds go back into the projects that benefit both the elephants and local communities.
This extraordinary and beautiful experience is guaranteed to put smiles both on the faces of elephants and their benefactors.