Welcome to Goodbye Animals(tm)((r). This hand-drawn series of six drawings featuring endangered species and their stories is the first fine-art collection released by artist Liz Ash and has since sold millions of prints around the world.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Since the beginning of mankind, humans have shared an intimate relationship with animals—tender and caring yet violent and self serving. Historically, animals have proven essential to the survival of humans; their meat provided our food, their bones our instruments and their skins our clothing and shelter. Our childhoods are filled with cartoon and plush animals that we cherish and adore. But in our postmodern culture, a more menacing relationship has emerged between humans and animals. No longer does the struggle for survival fuel man’s pursuit of these majestic creatures, but rather a seemingly narcissistic exhilaration compels the compulsive hunter.
‘goodbye animals’ began with a curiosity as to how the psychology of hunting has changed from necessity to sport over time. It has evolved into a series of reactive illustrations that journey through the primitive history and modern day of six animals. Using ink and a collage format, the illustrations tell these animals’ stories in a visual narrative.
We all carry stories. The experiences that we have, and our memories of them, are what make us who we are. What are the experiences of these nearly extinct or endangered animals? If they could tell their stories what would they say? Would we even listen? ‘goodbye animals’ serves as a testament to these animals from the perspective of an artist who also knows how it feels to be objectified.
The desires that motivate the compulsive hunter nowadays differ from the need-driven actions of the Paleolithic hunter – especially with Big Game animals. Just as a serial killer would take something from their victim, the safari hunter often takes a trophy from his prey. The head or skin is preserved for display in the home as a permanent symbol of their accomplishment. I asked myself, how could I create art that could hang in the place of these animals and tell their stories while still giving the viewer a hunt? ‘goodbye animals’ uses ink to fill in the physiognomy of each of these endangered animals with their stories: historical anecdotes, childhood relics, ritualistic lore, famous animals, habitat facts, cultural references, etc. This series aims to educate and engage the viewer and to inspire a dialogue about endangered animals. The longer that one looks at each drawing, the more information their eyes will begin to uncover. The final product seeks to serve as a different kind of trophy, an alternative to the hunting and killing of these animals via a symbolic representation of them as art. Written By Liz Ash (Special Thanks to George Kranis who collaborated with me on this series.)
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“Your website aesthetic is AWESOME...Love the Goodbye Animal series- beautiful artwork and message.”
“:): Impressive. The level of detail on display is stunning enough, but the variety of images and shades within means there’s more to discover upon multiple viewings. I like the mixture of beauty and tragedy; the image of the elephant tied up was striking.”
“The Lion is awesome. The undersized paws make it seem less threatening. Reminds me of Aztec art or something. But the Elephant is my favorite. The use of negative space in the trunk is genius. ”
“love this collection! I’ve been viewing each piece over and over. What’s so striking is the tension that she creates within each animal. It borders serenity and organized chaos and strife. I get a strong sense of connection within the series. There is a special energy that flows between the lion, the elephant, the rhino, and the gorilla. I particularly love the shape of the African continent on the gorilla’s arm worn almost as a badge. My favorite piece, however, is the sea turtle. There is something so calming about the lines and organization of it. Yet, when you inspect the animal, the story told within it is a sad one. The reality of human footprints in the sea has become devastating. Liz has captured emotion, beauty and truth with her artwork. I look forward to discovering more within each piece!”
“I love the Lion because of the exceptional composition of the lions within the lion. Things that stood out first in the Lion: the animal carousel above the baby, the chain in the mane, and the chain around the world. Really striking symbolism and motifs!”
“ I love how each animal subject has a unique biomorphic interior which captures the animals spirit. The shapes and patterns compliment the animals natural environment, and frames both the conflict and balance illustrated by the anthropomorphic images. The Lion and the Bear are my faves.”
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DETAIL: GOODBYE ANIMALS
LEGAL UPDATE ON LIZ ASH GOODBYE ANIMAL SERIES SEPTEMBER 2018:
All of the above “Goodbye Animal” series which were hand drawn by Liz Ash are registered and copyrighted. Any unlawful sales of these illustrations will be fully punishable by the law. There are no agreements with any publishers for 2D artwork at this time, all previous contracts have been deemed negligent and the contracts have been nullified.
All drawings in this series were hand drawn using Archival Ink on Paper by Liz Ash and registered with the United States Copyright and Trademark office.
These illustrations are owned solely by Liz Ash and are protected by the provisions of the Code of Intellectual Property and belong to Liz Ash LLC.
Do not to infringe the intellectual property rights relating to such elements and in particular to reproduce, display, modify, adapt, translate, extract and / or reuse a qualitatively or quantitatively substantial part, to the excluding acts necessary for their normal and according to specifications.
You may not reproduce, sell, or make Liz Ash Art available on your website in 2D, 3D or ANY adaptation without prior written consent and and a contract from Liz Ash LLC. Any companies or persons who disobey the law and infringe on copyrights of Liz Ash by selling her work without authorization and payment/royalties, or by creating similar enough artworks that the United States Copyright Office finds it a breach of copyrighted material, Liz Ash will pursue and punish to the fullest extent of the law.
Liz Ash owns her work reproduction rights. Any reproduction thereof is prohibited and constitutes an infringement to its detriment.
Any full or partial reproduction of a work of Liz Ash is strictly prohibited and may constitute unlawful reproduction of a work is liable to be prosecuted for counterfeiting by the rightholder in the work, cf. L.335-2 and following of the Code of Intellectual Property. The sale of a work does not transfer to its owner the right to reproduction and presentation of the work. Any contracts made with Image Conscious for wholesale of Liz Ash Goodbye Animal Series are no longer active - Image Conscious no longer has the right to sell, authorize the sale of, or sub-license any work created by Liz Ash.
No right of exploitation and particularly any commercial use of the rights granted under Article 9 of the Intellectual Property shall be considered as reserved to Liz Ash LLC. .
Any license a third party will be subject to prior negotiation and agreement with Liz Ash LLC.