“The Brutality Really Infuriated Me”
He is an animal lover. He is also an artist. And he has beautifully blended together his passion for art and love for animals in order to raise funds for animal conservation. What started with just a few of his sketches, has now become a movement for conservation through art.
Recently, one of his drawings of two rhinos, named Thabo and Ntombi, has been featured in the book The Elephants Of Thula Thula, by Francoise Malby-Anthony.
In our first episode of Freshly Brewed, we got an opportunity to chit-chat with the 14-year-old Ayan Kamath Mehra.
“I have always loved animals. When I realized the brutality with which several of these wild animals were being killed, I knew I wanted to do something,” says Ayan.
Ayan began his work with a private game reserve in South Africa, Thula Thula. With time, he extended his support to various other wildlife organizations across the world – India’s Wildlife SOS and Singapore Wildcat Action Group.
However, raising awareness and funding through his art work did not happen overnight. There were many roadblocks and he ended up hitting a dead end several times. But his perseverance helped define his path.
Today through his artwork, Ayan has raised over $20,000!
This Diwali, he has launched a series of festive cards, which are prints of his original graphite sketches, overlaid with festive colours & motifs through digital art. All proceeds from the sale of these cards will go to Wildlife SOS.
To buy these festive Diwali cards or connect with Ayan for more information on his artwork, please visit his website – www.savewildlife.art or his instagram handle – ayansartforconservation.
