Wildlife: Trading and Conservation

“Wildlife: Trading and Conservation,” co-sponsored by Creature Conserve, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

The goal of this exhibition is to consider the role of global wildlife trade in driving dozens of species to extinction, while harming human lives and livelihoods, and to empower the viewing public to take part in conservation. The 30 participating RISD artists –  established professionals, recent graduates, and current students – were asked to select from a list of the most heavily traded wildlife species and conduct their own self-directed research. Artists interviewed experts, including biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, park rangers, zookeepers, sanctuary managers, and policy-makers in creating highly personal, emotionally-charged artwork informed by the facts.