Go Wild Gorillas, 2019
Jungle Banana Split, 2019. Francesca Monticelli. Location: Charring Cross, Jersey C.I.
About the project: Jersey Zoo ( Durrell) in association with Wild in Art created an incredible trail around the island of Jersey to raise funds for their new Gorilla habitat. A community based project - a Go Wild Gorilla Trail, brought together over 30 professional artists, home grown creatives, schools, community groups and sponsors alike to produce bold designs on fibre-glass gorillas. The trail was launched on Saturday 27th July and continued until Monday 14th October 2019. It engaged tourists and islanders young, old and even the family dog to explore the island and discovering the life-sized gorilla sculptures, as well as more than a few baby gorilla sculptures. Extra events such as app trail tracking with prizes to be won, a bus tour and a gorilla Durrell Dash ( running race) followed, offering plenty of opportunities to get involved. The trail of GO WILD gorillas were auctioned at the LIVE televised Grand Gorilla Auction on 6th November 2019 to raise £1,146,500 for the gorillas at Jersey Zoo; thanks to the generosity of islanders and international art buyers. Some of the gorilla sculptures still remain on the island in private collections - peeping through garden hedges, others remain on public display at schools and sports clubs. With outstanding success, the Go Wild Gorilla project was a not to be missed highlight of the Summer 2019 calendar and remains a lasting legacy to islanders and visitors.
Please visit: https://gwg.durrell.org for more depth and further details about this amazing project.
““It was an honour to be apart of this fund raising project. There were so many highlights; from the design process, to meeting and working along side other artists in the studio, the trail putting a smile on so many faces, and of course raising funds for the gorillas. My heart was pounding at the auction and the total was just jaw dropping! What was so unique about this project was its ability to involve so many people not only on Jersey but globally.”
For more information my artist profile, visit: https://gwg.durrell.org/artist/francesca-monticelli
Above: Studio progress of Gorilla at Jane James Ceramic studio, Jersey, Channel Islands. Find out more about my experience of creating my design.
“Since being apart of the Go Wild Gorilla project, I was fortunate enough to continue making public art. I thrive off making art for the community. I feel as though I am giving back to someone, people I don’t know and have never met; in a small way. What’s so wonderful about these sorts of projects; the smiles on faces, working in a public space and chatting to people as they pass by. I got to understand the routines of people, as they would come to watch my painting progress .”
Beresford Street Fish Market Mural, 2019
Gilbert, 2019. Beresford Street Fish Market.
Opening of Murals, 2019
My final design (shown above), inspired by my pet goldfish, Gilbert. He has become the inspiration to many past works and continues to influence my art practice. When deciding what to paint on the mural, I had many ideas, however, the personal response to my old London pet seemed fitting - I bet he would never have imagined being immortalised on a fish market wall. It seemed almost iconic painting a goldfish on a fish market wall, but the connection to people and fish seemed relatable through a friendly pet, despite being as large as a shark! Theres a playful and bold element to work, due to the size and colours which catches peoples’ attention from the street outside the market. I wanted this work to stand out and draw people into the market, as well as brighten peoples’ days. This project took me a long time to paint due to the detail, however, I enjoyed the support from those who regularly visited the market, both locals and tourists. Looking deeper into the meaning of goldfish - I wish for Gilbert to be a good luck charm and good fortune for all those that encounter him in their day.
