Elsa Olander exhibits at David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Stamps student Elsa Olander’s ​“Starving Cheetah” piece was recently accepted by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) in London, England. 

The DSWF is an effectual and emphatic wildlife conservation charity operated across Africa and Asia to end wildlife crime and protect endangered species in their natural habitat. 

Olander’s piece is part of the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2023 Exhibition at the iconic Mall Galleries in London. She is also in the running for the DSWF People’s Choice Awards, a contest open to the public that closes on September 16.

Olander’s piece was among 1,432 entries from over 760 artists across 61 countries. Works were judged anonymously based on originality, narrative, and technical skill. 

In the illustration, Olander demonstrates how humans can play a role in destroying the planet and wildlife. The artwork incorporates a cheetah, which ​“was a healthy species, but they have been starved as humans encroach on their forest habitat to make products such as paper,” says Olander in an artist description. 

As a finalist, Olander’s work is featured on the DSWF’s website for purchase. Portions of the sale will support the DSWF and ground-based conservation partners across Africa and Asia. 

“Each year, the exhibition showcases a breathtaking selection of shortlisted artworks commended by our expert judging panel, which portray a variety of techniques and mediums, from recycled plastic sculptures to intricate pencil drawings, to vast, colorful oil paintings, and everything in between,” says the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation on their website.