Packing their trunks for the elephant parade
London will be invaded next month by a herd of 250 elephants. Monday 3 May will see the start of Britain's biggest ever outdoor art event. Some 250 life-size, decorated elephants will appear across London, in parks, on street corners and outside public buildings.
The Elephant Parade involves hundreds of artists and celebrities – including the designer Sir Paul Smith and the painter Jack Vettriano – who were invited to decorate their own animal. The elephants, seen here being prepared in Wandsworth, will remain on display around the city until 4 July.
The exhibit aims to raise £2m to help endangered Asian elephants. Numbers have plummeted from around 200,000 to 40,000 in the last century and campaigners say ensuring the survival of the species is a matter of urgency.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies