Meet the artists behind Elmer’s Elephant Trail

20 Dec 2023

The colourful art trail is back! This wonderful elephant spotting adventure is based on the beloved children’s book by David McKee, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, which promotes positive messages of kindness, friendship and compassion.

Don’t miss out on joining in on this elephant art safari, on now until 18 February 2024 in Ōtautahi!

Here is a sneak peak of three elephant designs and the artists behind each colourful elephant!

Camila Wood, originally born in Argentina, now resides in Ōtautahi. Camila enjoys working with a mixed range of media. When a friend suggested Elmer’s Elephant Trail and the cause it represented, it resonated deeply as Camila’s nanna had suffered multiple strokes throughout her life. “With Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, it made a lot of sense for me to participate,” Camila says. “I did it without thinking I would get accepted because I am an emerging artist. When they came back to me and told me my submission was accepted I was really excited. I’m really happy to be able to showcase my artwork.”

Camila is the artist sponsored by Resene, and she couldn’t be happier to be involved. Her elephant, Splodge, is located at the Christchurch Airport (Domestic Terminal) and represents the colours of our diverse rainbow, in a different way than we usually see it. Getting out of our comfort zone, while honouring our Takatāpui community, there is no space for straight lines in this piece. Only blobs of fun, happiness and acceptance.

Make sure to join the trail to view her elephant design and follow her at Wayra.

Mandy Palmer from the beautiful Eyrewell Forest is a figurative artist, mainly painting and sculpting people or animals, so designing an Elmer’s Elephant is a new venture for her, one that she is very excited about. “A few friends of mine were involved in painting the pop-up penguins last year,” Mandy says. “It sounded like so much fun and awesome to be able to support a charity like the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, so I was up for the challenge. I’m so excited to be a part of the trail, I can’t wait for the public to see them all.”

Located in the Botanic Gardens Playground, Mandy’s elephant is a dream, with clouds and a bright summer meadow.

Make sure to check out Mandy’s unique artwork at Mandy Palmer Artist.

Roberta Queiroga is a contemporary visual artist from Brazil who has lived in New Zealand since 2001. She has also lived in Portugal and Japan and influences from these places and cultures are continuously shaping her identity and informing her work. For years Roberta has wanted to be a part of a Wild in Art Trail. “Ever since I heard about art trails like this I always wanted to be involved and I took on this opportunity because it is an amazing cause and the funds will go to people who need support with brain injuries,” Roberta says. “It is a good opportunity for artists because we usually work so isolated.”

A calligraphic and playful ELEELE elephant! This design was made with a free mind, scribbling endless squiggly, colourful and unreadable words. This design is motivated by fun and freedom! Roberta works in a symbiosis with the art medium allowing for her emotion to spontaneously flow with minimum interference when creating. Her background is in architecture, and she is interested in the relationship between the artwork, the viewer and the space. See Roberta’s elephant at the Margaret Mahy Family Playground!

Make sure to check out Roberta Queiroga on Facebook.

Published: 20 Dec 2023