WILD

Nom-Koo Returns Home!

Yesterday, Nomkhubulwane returned home to South Africa, after a busy year of travel all throughout North America. Traveling over 26,000 miles (approx 41,000 kms), Nom-Koo's tour brought creativity and environmental awareness to nine cities throughout the US and Mexico. Her tour started at WILD9, 9th World Wilderness Congress (Merida, Mexico, Nov 2009) and finished in Chicago, USA. Traveling with her, an educational program, designed by The Civic Knowledge Project, The University of Chicago, Division of Humanities, encouraged creative environmental relationship building with tens of thousands of children. Read More

There’s a Elephant in Montana?!

That's right....there is an elephant trekking across the US, heading for Bozeman, MT.  Nom-koo will be in Bozeman August 4- September 15 and will reside at the front plaza of the Bozeman Public Library where she will serve as a creative catalyst for community conversations and conscious change.  Traveling from Chicago, Nom-koo has had many adventures on the road - like stopping for a picture at Wrigley Field! There are many fun events planned in Bozeman once Nom-koo arrives.  So, if you're in the area, you can attend a great concert, chalk-up a message in-front of ... Read More

Nom-Koo’s Visit to Chicago

Nomkhubulwane, the life-size elephant sculpture made by renowned South African artist Andries Botha, arrived in Chicago on 28 May, after visiting sevearl other cities in North America including Juarez, Mexico and Detroit, Michigan. This week, there are several interesting (and free) events featuring Nom-Koo, Botha and WILD’s President Vance Martin. (Schedule of events in Chicago) Read More

Art, Conservation & Politics Interplay in Durban

Inspiration, communication, beauty, awe...and action.  Art plays a many important roles in society - and has for longer than any art museum can possibly document.  We celebrated the ancient art of Body Painting at WILD9 with a stunning exhibit at Hacienda Tekit de Regil.  For many, this was a highlight of the WILD9 experience, serving both a celebration and inspiration for their tireless efforts to protect wild-nature. We all need a muse.  Andries Botha's magnificent elephant sculptures are modern day muses for the conservation movement.  Botha states: "The elephant is a metaphor for the yearning for forgotten conversations between humans, the ... Read More

Nomkoo’s in Fayetteville!

Today, the mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, will officially welcome Nomkhubulwane to the city!  She has already gotten some attention from the Fayetteville Flyer and North-West Arkansas online.  Here is her schedule for her time in Arkansas: April 1 - May 18, 2010: Fayetteville, AR, Town Center Plaza. Art in the public square. Nomkhubulwane will be featured at Fayetteville's First Thursday event on April 1, 2010. The Mayor will preside over an official "unveiling" ceremony and welcome Nomkhubulwane to our city. There is a band that will be playing in ... Read More

Nomkhubulwane in El Paso

This video is an interview with Katie Updike, a friend of the artist Andries Botha, and major organizer in getting this sculpture from South Africa to the United States. Nomkhubulwane, a 9-foot-tall elephant sculpture made of woven recycled tires, is touring North America to highlight the plight of African elephants. Nomkhubulwane will be at the El Paso Zoo through March 26 in connection with the zoo's new Africa exhibit.  Read more about Nomkhubulwane > Read More

Nomkhubulwane’s North American Tour

This past week, Nomhubulwane went on parade through Juarez, Mexico, a city with a violent reputation.  There was a lively parade with music, dancing and general good spirits and much celebration and discussion along with her visit. Juarez, Mexico is just a short drive from El Paso, Texas -- but there are two checkpoints to get through the US, dogs sniffing for arms and drugs and a constant line at the border-crossing.  The weekend before Nomkhubulwane arrived, 20 people were killed including an 18 month old.  This is clearly a city in need of some positive energy, inspiration and citizen stewardship ... Read More