Have you ever heard of an art exhibition by an elephant? Well, it’s not something you see every day, but that’s exactly what happened in New Delhi recently. A recent art exhibition in India has showcased the work of an unlikely artist — an Indian elephant. A series of paintings by an Indian elephant have gone on sale to raise money to protect the endangered animal.

Wildlife SOS in alliance with Art Spice at The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa, New Delhi collaborated with Singapore-based artist Alpana Ahuja is hosting a month-long exhibition titled ‘Ganpati to Gajah’, the first exhibition of an unconventional artist: a rescued Indian elephant named Phoolkali, at Art Spice gallery. Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Minister for Women and Child Welfare, inaugurated the art exhibition on August 23rd. The exhibition is open for public viewing till September 19th.

The exhibition was a huge success, attracting visitors from all over India. Many were amazed by Phoolkali’s talent and were impressed by her paintings. Some even purchased her artwork, with all proceeds going towards the care of the elephants at the centre.

‘Ganpathi to Gajah’ features the collaborative works of a rescued elephant Phoolkali, and Singapore-based, India-born artist, Alpana Ahuja, who worked closely for several months with Indian Wildlife Conservation NGO Wildlife SOS to understand the challenges Indian elephants face in the wild and in captivity. Alpana’s collaboration with Phoolkali took place at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura — India’s first ever chain-free facility for elephants. Together, they created a series of unique and stunning images on canvas, a first of its kind in India.

If you’re wondering how such a massive creature could create such precise, neat artworks without totally trashing a lightweight canvas, know that there is a human artist’s hand in the work as well. Alpana Ahuja developed an elegant system to produce the paintings, coaxing Phoolakli into a good mood with bananas and other food before quickly dabbing the creature’s foot with paint and imprinting it on the canvas. And how much does a painting by Phoolakli command? Between $165 and $400. A former wild elephant is now a professional artist!

However, the exhibition also sparked some controversy. Animal rights activists argued that forcing an elephant to paint was cruel and unnatural. They claimed that it was just another form of exploitation and that elephants should be allowed to live in their natural habitat without interference from humans.

In response to these concerns, Wildlife SOS assured that Phoolkali’s painting sessions were voluntary and that she was not forced to paint. They also pointed out that the painting sessions provided enrichment and mental stimulation for the elephant, which is important for their overall well-being.

Despite the controversy, the exhibition has opened up new possibilities for animal-assisted therapy and enrichment activities. It has also challenged our perceptions of what animals are capable of and has shown that they too have creative abilities.

The exhibition is timed to coincide with the Indian festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins on Friday and celebrates the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha. The money raised from the sale will be used towards elephant conservation.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the population of the Indian elephant between 20,000-25,000. They are often kept in pathetic conditions by their masters and trafficked illegally.

The art exhibition by Phoolkali the Indian elephant was a unique and inspiring event that showcased the beauty and creativity of animals. While it may have sparked some controversy, it has also opened up new avenues for animal-assisted therapy and has given us a new appreciation for the talents of our animal friends.

By supporting organizations like the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center, we can help protect elephants and ensure that they are treated with the respect and care they deserve. And who knows, maybe we’ll see more elephant art exhibitions in the future!