HUNTSVILLE – The times they are a-changin’ for Canada’s wildlife.
Illustrators Patricia Astley and Catherine Luce have collaborated on an art installation that pays homage to the country’s endangered wildlife for the all-night street art festival Nuit Blanche North this Saturday.
Astley said the two artists had wanted to focus on endangered animals from Canada for their installation.
“I wanted Canadian (wildlife). I felt people here in Muskoka would be interested and take it more seriously if it were closer to home,” she said.
The theme of this year’s Nuit Blanche North is The Times They are A-changin’ and Astley said the installation fits well within it.
The artwork, called Under Mother Nature’s Cloak, is a 12-foot papier maché representation of 14 endangered animals, including a whooping crane, turtle, polar bear, wolverine, spotted owl and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
A large cloak that looks like a sunset covers the animals.
“Mother Nature’s head is up on there and her arms are out. She’s holding a lantern in one hand and a clock in the other, meaning time is running out,” said Astley.
The installation will also include a tree with a book of explanation and flip boards for children.
The duo has been working on the piece since May.
The installation will be in the courtyard of the Huntsville’s Art Society’s public gallery, The Art Space, on Saturday, July 14, from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is located on Queen Street in downtown Huntsville across from River Mill Park.