An International Traveling Exhibition
by Calley O'Neill and the Rama Team, Featuring Rama, the Artist Elephant
A JOURNEY OF ART AND SOUL FOR THE EARTH
RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES
Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak
by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh
Kū loaʻa Na Lio Kai
Prosperous are the Sea Horses
ENDANGERED SEAHORSES
by Calley O'Neill and Rama the Elephant
Seahorse numbers are in decline worldwide due to unscrupulous fishing practices and over harvesting, mostly for the Chinese medicine trade. In 2004, all seahorse species were listed under the Conservation of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) as appendix II. This means that all trade of seahorses is strictly regulated and size limitations are imposed, ensuring that there is enough breeding activity to sustain the species.
November, 2017 - After 30 days (2 days per week, 8 hours per day) the seahorse painting is complete! Properly dressed and adorned in its Thangka finery, the seahorses hang proudly among the other paintings at Mokupapapa Discovery Center.
The seahorses are subtlety visible in this painting, although Calley did have fun building their skeletons by layering dots of primer to create their three dimensional appearance. After hours of painting each in minute detail, she then slightly blurred them to signify the sad reality of their disappearance.
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