PENNY Lovelock’s colourful rhino sculpture could soon be homeward bound with a campaign launched to install the artwork in the foyer of the Ulladulla Civic Centre.
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The Lake Conjola artist was last year chosen to paint the life-sized sculpture as part of the national Wild Rhino fundraiser for Taronga Zoo’s rhino conservation programs.
More than 120 painted rhinos have been on exhibition in Dubbo and throughout Sydney’s CBD for the past two months with Penny’s work standing proudly outside the Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour.
On May 14, 45 sculptures will be auctioned for charity at The Star Pyrmont and Penny is hoping Shoalhaven City Council will consider purchasing the piece and placing it in the renovated civic centre.
While she was unsure how much her rhino, named Bethari meaning goddess in Indonesian, would fetch at auction, she said she would like to see it returned to the local area if possible.
“To be honest, I’d feel pretty proud, almost honoured really, if it was installed in the civic centre,” she said.
Cr Amanda Findley said she would be contacting council staff to see if there were funds available from the civic centre budget or any other areas to purchase the work.
She will also approach her fellow councillors to gauge their support.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Cr Findley said.
“It would be a fantastic asset to the civic centre precinct because it ties in art, culture, learning and conservation.
“It could end up being part of the Nowra arts precinct and could be used in different displays around the place, like ARTfest and the Jervis Bay art festival.”
Cr Findley said if council could not fund the purchase, perhaps the local community could rally together and pledge funds through an online crowdfunding platform.
Penny said she got involved with the project because she wanted to help highlight the plight of endangered rhinos and help with breeding programs.
“I didn’t really think about what would happen to the sculpture beyond that,” she said.
“But it would be great if it came home.
“It has a Taronga Zoo plaque, so hopefully people might look at it and consider sponsoring the project.
“This rhino is now extinct in Java and the only remaining animals are in captivity.
“While it’s not a local issue, it’s important for us all to do our bit for conservation.”
The Wild Rhino exhibition has been hugely popular on the streets, in the parks and public places of Sydney and will be available for previewing at The Star from May 10 to 14.
The live auction will take place on Wednesday May 14 from 6.30pm, with tickets and bidding registration forms available from the Taronga Wild Rhino website.
