Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 36”x48”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 36”x48”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 36”x48”

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” —William Shakespeare, Hamlet. The drawing Or Not to Be explores the lack of understanding that a young man has about mortality upon examining an elephant skull.

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

The Subterfuge drawing represents the co-mingling of the female human torso with that of an elephant. Never completely the female figure and never completely the head of an elephant the blurred lines hint at a metamorphosis taking place.

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 36”x48” each

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 22”x15” each, Artist Painted Frame with Assemblage

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22” each

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

The drawing titled Transference posits the idea that it would be much more difficult for poachers to cut off elephant tusks if they appeared as human legs. Additionally, the phallic positioning of the elephant trunk creates a comic connection to hunting for sport and falsified manhood.

Charcoal and Pastel on Gessoed Paper, 15”x22”

The Embrace drawing represents the metamorphosis of a human into an elephant, or perhaps the reverse is true. The artist has repeatedly explored the interrelated nature of humans and elephants throughout his works, often rejecting the notion that elephants possess human traits.