As part of its global tiger conservation efforts, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has enlisted 60 artists from across the world to use their craft to spread awareness about the decline of tigers in the wild
If you were in Singapore a few weeks back and visited popular spots such as Gardens by the Bay or the National Gallery, you might have noticed some tigers on the loose. Tiger sculptures were on display around the city between February 26 and April 9 as part of the Tiger Trail 2022, organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The initiative took root more than 10 years ago with the discovery of only 3,200 tigers in the wild, resulting in a decade-long conservation effort to rescue the big cats. Twelve years later, the number of wild tigers has increased, but they remain under threat from urbanisation and poachers in many parts of Asia.
The goal is to double the number of tigers in the wild. And to do so, WWF has recruited the help of 60 artists around the world to use their craft to spread the message.
In Asia, three Gen.T honourees were invited to be part of the campaign. Artists Red Hong Yi and Phannapast Taychamaythakool were enlisted to design a life-size tiger sculpture each for the art trail, while illustrator Sonny Liew created merchandise for sale.
We speak to the three artists to find out more about their motivation behind supporting the cause.
See also: In Pictures: WWF Tiger Trail Dinner
Wild tigers are particularly at risk in Malaysia and Thailand. To Red and Phannapast, what do these big cats mean to you? And what spurred the both of you to be part of the WWF Tiger Trail?
Red Hong Yi (HY) I was born in the year of the tiger—1986—and grew up in Borneo, where there are no tigers. But I'd hear stories from my mom and people of her generation about how tigers in West Malaysia would go into villages. We—me and those of my generation—will probably never get to see that, as there are only about 150 Malayan tigers left in West Malaysia. This made me think of future generations and if they would ever get to see tigers at all. So it was important to me that I helped to raise awareness about conserving tigers.
Phannapast Taychamaythakool (PT) Tigers are commonly described in Thai beliefs and folklores. When I was younger, I would often imagine them as fairies living in the jungle comfortably, but as I grew older, I learned that that was not the case at all.
I believe that every human on earth is important and we are all connected by invisible bonds. Our comfortable life could mean another is suffering, whether as a direct or indirect result [of our choices]. When we’re used to the comforts of our lives, we often forget about other beings that live alongside us. Tigers are one of the animals whose lives have been affected by our comfort. And I want to use my art to tell people that we are not the centre of the universe. We are connected to nature and we need to be respectful of other lives, human or not.
Sonny, how does the topic of wildlife conservation resonate with you?
Sonny Liew (SL) Life on earth is something of a miracle—and the particular organisms that exist today are the products of millions of years of evolution. Once lost, they will never be again. We, humans, have gained the ability to fundamentally shape the world around us; some suggest we are in the age of the Anthropocene. And as Uncle Ben told Peter Park in Spider-Man: With great power comes great responsibility.
