Sculpting A New Future
by Casey Banwell and Emma Pritty
Saving Nature had the privilege earlier this year of meeting two incredible women. On furlough during the COVID19 crisis, they turned their attention to their passion for conservation and used the downtime to create a better future for nature.
What began as a desire to make the most of a year of upheaval has shown us the power of art to save endangered species. Our collaboration with Casey and Emma began with Rango, a life-sized bust of an orangutan that we raffled off earlier this year. Rango inspired people to get involved in helping build a wildlife corridor in one of the most fragile and important forests on earth, ultimately enabling us to restore and protect 50 acres of rainforest in Sumatra.
Casey Banwell, whose art is featured in such films as the latest Star Wars movie and Emma Pritty, a skilled mold maker, whose film credits include Jurassic Park and Fantastic Beasts are now working on their second project to ensure there is a place left on earth for rhinos, tigers, elephants, orangutans, and 5,300 other species.
Our goal this year is to restore and protect an additional 264 acres for the last of Sumatran rhinos, of which only 80 are left on the planet. They have sculpted a beautiful mother and baby rhino pair for our raffle to help raise the funding needed.
We sat down with Casey and Emma to hear more about their passion for art and conservation.
Casey Banwell sculpting the mother Sumatran rhino in clay
Emmy Pritty, molding the clay sculpture for casting.
What place does art have in conservation?
Casey: It’s another way of connecting with people. Sometimes people get switched off by the constant bombarding of animals in need and animals in desperate situations. They can’t handle the gruesomeness of it.
Emma: I think the idea here is that instead of asking people to donate to a charity with nothing in return, they actually have the chance to get something back. If you are looking at a brilliant sculpture like Rango over a charity box, you are much more likely to donate.
Why did you name the sculpture Rudi?
Emma: We named it in tribute to Rudi Putra, who has devoted his life to saving rhinos. We thought there was no other fitting way we could honor his dedication, other than naming our creation in his honor.
How do you think COVID is going to effect your line of work for future projects?
Emma: I mean, thankfully, projects like Rango and Rudi are not affected by COVID and actually we have more time to do them.
Casey: For future projects where we get paid income, I think there is always fortunately going to be a need for entertainment. I think the film industry will bounce back. It is starting to thrive again now, isn’t it?
What piece of work are you most proud of?
Casey: I am proud of what we are doing.
Emma: So Rango and Rudi?
Casey: Yeah. This and sculpting a dog for Beauty and the Beast. Um. Luke Skywalker’s house and a giant’s head.
What advice do you have for artists out there that want to make a difference?
Casey: Just get making. My favorite sentence of all time is “If you build it, they will come.” I think it was from an American baseball movie.(check out Field of Dreams, great movie)
Emma: Just get started. I mean we messed up a lot haven’t we? Just get started. If you have an idea, start doing it. Even if it goes wrong you will get there in the end.
About the Pair
Artists: Casey Banwell and Emma Pritty
Year created: In Lock Down 2020
Medium: First sculpted in clay, the pair was then molded using a silicone and fiberglass jacket. The finished pieces are aluminum powdered resin, which has been art effected to look like a patinated bronze.
Mother rhino is:
Length: 18″
Height: 6″
Width: 4″
Baby rhino is:
Length: 6″
Height: 5″
Width: 2″
Artist Bios:
Casey Banwell is accomplished TV/film sculptor and modeller who worked on a wide range of projects from: Dumbo; Kingsman: Golden Circle; The Legend of Tarzan; to, most recently, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
Emma Pritty is a skilled mold maker, who has also worked in the industry for a long time. With films in her portfolio such as: A Theory of Everything, Cinderella, A Solo Story, Justice League, Jurassic World, Fantastic Beasts, Star Wars. Both are based in England.
What was it like working on the set of Star Wars for you two? Did you two get to hang out?
Emma: We worked there for over a year. We always shouted at each other from our workshops across the road, “Oh, we should grab a coffee.” But it was always so busy on set set we didn’t have much time.
Is it strange going back to work on production?
Emma: Yes, I am back now and it’s very different. They are managing it very well. They are very strict. We have no actual cases and it’s been around a month.
Casey: I mean you are getting tested two times a week?
Emma: We are getting tested, we are getting temperature checked. People who have shift work have come in just fine and everyone has just been sensible. Everyone is wearing masks. Honestly, those are the only changes really. I think other than that, we will go back to normal and the industry will be back and running again. But as for projects like Rango, COVID has probably kickstarted Rango having all this time to get our teeth in and work on him.
Casey: I mean Rango started a year ago. But as soon as lockdown started, I was able to really focus on him and able to finish him.’
I think that is all the questions. Thank you for everyone who has already donated to support this beautiful sculpture.
Support our raffle or sponsor one acre to raise money to help restore and protect the last refuge where rhinos, orangutans, tigers, and elephants live in one place.