Copper rod, archival inkjet on paper, "shuka" fabric, artificial sinew

2009

In the past twenty years the African lion population has gone from 200,000 to 30,000, and is still declining.

The biggest threat to the lion population is indiscriminate killing, primarily to protect livestock. One of the ways in which this killing occurs is by poisoning.

Furadan is a highly toxic chemical that is marketed as a pesticide. Furadan is banned in Europe and the United Kingdom. It is restricted in the United States, and the EPA has measures in place to ban it in the US. However, it has been readily available at agriculture supply stores in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where the poisoning of lions is taking place. Herders lace carcasses with the pesticide, knowing the lions will come back to finish it. Furadan is odorless and tasteless to wildlife.

FURADAN FELINE is inspired by the lion poisonings. The pink design used for the ears, eyes and nose is found on Furadan packaging. The red-striped and blue plaid cloth are cut from "shukas," a blanket like garment the Maasai people of Kenya wear. The mainstay of the Maasai people is raising cattle.