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Sculpting and Scouting a Super Tusker

Artist James Delaney returns to Angama Amboseli with a single purpose — to be in the presence of Super Tusker Craig
Above: Majesty captured in metal
Above: Majesty captured in metal

We were amongst the first guests at Angama Amboseli a year ago, and when we recently returned, we were greeted with such warmth that it made our hearts sing. We were told with big smiles, ‘You're our first return guests!’ 

A welcome committee of smiles for every guest
A welcome committee of smiles for every guest

A year later, the wildlife feels like it has returned, settled and calmed. Every day, several famous Super Tuskers appear on the open plain, completely relaxed. But in the back of my mind, while we travelled to Kenya, I kept wondering, 'Will Craig be there this time?

As if elephants couldn't be more majestic, the morning mist proves otherwise
As if elephants couldn't be more majestic, the morning mist proves otherwise

For those who don't know Angama Amboseli, it's on a small but strategically vital piece of land, the Kimana Sanctuary. This allows elephants to migrate between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks.

Elephants aren't your only frequent visitors when staying in Angama Amboseli
Elephants aren't your only frequent visitors when staying in Angama Amboseli
Guest Suites inspired by the formation of Mount Kilimanjaro
Guest Suites inspired by the formation of Mount Kilimanjaro

I’m an artist and I work from a studio in Johannesburg, South Africa. My studio is unusual in that I work across many mediums — paintings, lithography, linocut, digital prints, sketches and sculpture. I travel a lot, especially on safari, and my observations when travelling feed my artistic process.  

Step aside, photos — James has his paintbrushes
Step aside, photos — James has his paintbrushes

Elephants have an especially big place in my heart. In recent years, I’ve realised that my work can make a difference by supporting conservation — both in cities (I’m involved in the restoration and design of public parks) and in conservation (I’ve done several pieces to support conservation, including a life-size elephant in Zambia).

Charcoal sketches transformed into laser-cut steel, finished with paint or powder coat
Charcoal sketches transformed into laser-cut steel, finished with paint or powder coat

So, in the year between my trips, I worked on a sculpture of Craig and brought two of the editions with me so that they could be sold to raise funds for the Big Life Foundation, with whom Angama works to conserve the elephants and their corridors in the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem.

Craig, meet Craig
Craig, meet Craig

Driving through this sumptuous greenery and misty mornings of the Amboseli rainy season while watching the shapes of elephants emerge is something extraordinary.

Craig is one of the largest Super Tuskers in Africa
Craig is one of the largest Super Tuskers in Africa
... and the perfect mode of transport for egrets
... and the perfect mode of transport for egrets

But the biggest highlight of all was seeing Craig himself! He had returned to Kimana a few days before we arrived, and I couldn’t have been happier. Craig is not just relaxed around people but is positively curious. More than once, we would drive to a suitable spot to watch him. Then he’d come over to us, have a good look, and walk past the front of the vehicle so close we could hear him rumble .

Always ready for a photo
Always ready for a photo
Artist meets muse
Artist meets muse

Craig stayed there for our three-day stay at Angama Amboseli, clearly enjoying Kimana Sanctuary as much as we did and gifting us the great honour of spending much quiet time in his presence.

I believe he also rumbled a great sigh of approval at the likeness of his sculpture.

Note from the Editor

James’ sculpture is available from the shop at Angama Amboseli, as a limited edition of 10, each signed and numbered.  

Filed under: Stories from Amboseli

Tagged with:

Amboseli , Craig , Kimana Sanctuary , Super Tusker

About: Guest Author

Members of the broader Angama family — be it guests, agents, suppliers, friends — contribute to the blog from time to time. We love to share their stories, too.

Browse all articles by Guest Author Meet the angama team

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