In June 2010 Pollyanna was joined by Virginia McKenna (above right) to officially unveil one of the most unusual pieces of artwork she has ever completed! ‘Good Morning Africa’ is a life size lion sculpture, designed and painted by Pollyanna as part of the Pride of Northampton event.

For a 10 week period in Summer 2010, Northampton’s streets, parks, open spaces and shopping centres were host to a pride of 5ft lions in the town’s most high profile event, engaging artists, community groups and schools and attracting regional and national visitors to the town centre. Pollyanna is delighted that she was selected as one of the artists to paint one of these magnificent sculptures, which brought an explosion of colour and excitement to Northampton’s streets and open spaces.

Over £65,000 raised through the auction of the lions in September was divided between The Born Free Foundation and to a local Northampton charity, the Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Virginia Mckenna Spoke very movingly about the work of Born Free prior to the auction which was conducted by celebrity auctioneer Jonty Hearndon (above). We are delighted that bidding was fast and furious for Pollyanna’s lion – which fetched one of the highest prices of all the statues.

We are also delighted to say that the lion statue will be coming home to Pollyanna’s gallery in June 2011 where it will be the centrepiece of her exhibition ‘Painted with Pride’.

The statue was originally unveiled by Pollyanna and Virginia at Born Free’s Pride in the Park Ball in Derby, where he stood beside the red carpet to greet visitors as they entered! He has now joined the rest of the forty strong Pride on display in the city streets of Northampton. Already proving to be one of the most popular lions on display, he has been selected as one of twelve to be featured in a pack of commemorative postcards. Pollyanna is shown below working on her lion watched by visitors to her gallery during the Derbyshire Open Arts weekend.

Pollyanna commented “The deep terracottas and warm golds and reds used in the design were inspired by my painting safaris throughout Africa, from the mountains of Ethiopia to the deserts of Namibia. The outline map of Africa and glowing sunset embody the wonder of the Continent on which the lion roams, while the main bold symbols of rock art were inspired by my visits to sites of ancient civilisations close to Born Free’s Shamwari reserve in South Africa. I am fascinated by the idea of combining my own 21st century work with the work of artists from thousands of years ago. Wildlife Art is the oldest art form – the earliest cave paintings ever discovered depict animals. As the project will benefit Born Free, I have included an extract of the evocative lyric of the Oscar winning song – while the compass on the back of the lion points the way to their inspirational conservation work around the globe.”