Hippo Haven

Only available in prints.

Bringing awareness to the plights of hippos

The shapes within the hippos allude to urban development, where land divisions, mapping, and architecture encroach upon life, natural habitats, and small communities, leading to displacement and turmoil.

Vibrant colors infuse a sense of optimism reflecting hope rather than a depiction of despair.

The final process of completing my work often involves meticulously organizing symbols that intersect cultures, objects, and events. Here, I strive to convey balance and coexistence within the artwork and within myself. It is a symbolic journey I embark on to distill the complexities of our world into a hopeful narrative that celebrates harmony and connection.

The symbols in this painting are organized in the shape of a river, a source in trouble but needed for all life to exist.

Due to human settlement, the common Hippo has been eradicated from several countries in Africa, and their populations are currently small and in decline.

They face significant threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and conflicts with humans. With the loss of their natural habitats, they are compelled to encroach upon human settlements, often resulting in their targeted killing due to the perceived threat to human life. Additionally, humans poach hippos in large numbers annually, driven by the demand for their meat, leather, and bones in various markets.

Preserving hippo habitats is of utmost importance. These animals play a crucial role in supporting aquatic ecosystems and are responsible for consuming tall and thick grasses that other animals rely on for grazing and movement within their habitats. Global warming exacerbates the issue as droughts reduce water levels, impacting the availability of water. Apart from the obvious survival reasons tied to water availability, hippos are susceptible to sunburn and therefore need to keep hydrated. Although they cannot swim, they spend the majority of their days immersed in water.

As a result of these challenges, hippos are currently classified as vulnerable.

Info sourced in large part from The Wildlife Conservation Society