The singer has been inspired by stars of comic books and the big screen to create a giant Gromit sculpture for the high profile public arts trail taking place in Bristol this summer.

Zayn says “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to lend my support to Gromit Unleashed to raise funds for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal. Being asked to design and paint a Gromit was an absolute honour and despite being busy on tour, it’s given me something to look forward to on my down time in between shows. My house is going to feel a whole lot emptier and a lot less green without it!”

Zayn Malik’s ‘The Green Gromit’ is one of eighty individually-designed giant sculptures of Gromit that will populate Bristol and beyond for ten weeks from 1^st July until 8^th September.

The project, organised by Aardman Animations and Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, will see Nick Park’s internationally-renowned character re-imagined by a host of well-known celebrities and artists.

During the trail, Zayn’s ‘The Green Gromit’ will be displayed at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol.

Zayn Malik joins a prestigious line-up of famous names including Nick Park, Sir Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Cath Kidston, Sir Paul Smith, The Beano and Harry Hill, each transforming the 5ft (1.5m) statues with their individual designs, alongside local artists.

More famous names and designs will be revealed in the lead up to the public arts trail.

After the trail, the Gromit sculptures will be auctioned off to the highest bidders in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal. To register your interest in bidding, please email auction@gromitunleashed.org.uk.

All funds from Gromit Unleashed will go towards the charity’s appeal to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK, to support sick children and babies in Bristol and beyond.

The Grand Appeal is working with Wild in Art, a leading arts and education company which produces mass participation events in cities, to deliver Gromit Unleashed.

With the support of tourism agencies VisitEngland and Destination Bristol, Gromit Unleashed will help raise the profile of the city to tourists across the UK and beyond.

For more information and the latest news on the project, visit www.gromitunleashed.org.uk.

Husband and wife artists Deborah Treliving and Malcolm Law are going head-to-head. Malcolm is creating Cool Ice Cream Bananas Gorilla for the Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter, while Deborah is painting Hippocampus Guttulatus Gorilla on behalf of Cavanna Homes.

The Great Gorillas Project is celebrating the 90^th birthday of the region’s largest and best-known zoo, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, which is a registered charity.

Life-size model gorillas are being sponsored by businesses and community groups, painted in original designs by specially-commissioned artists and displayed in public, creating a unique art trail around Torbay and Exeter.

Deborah, who is based at Cockington Court, wanted a design that would have a local link – hence the seahorse. Her gorilla has been inspired byHippocampus Guttulatus, the spiny seahorse, which is found in Tor Bay. She explained:

“Seahorses, like gorillas, are threatened. Torbay is home to two species; the spiny seahorse and the short snouted seahorse. Seahorses are amazing creatures – they can change colour to match their surroundings, they have prehensile tails and eyes which work independently. I have found them fascinating to draw. I hope that Hippocampus Guttulatus Gorilla will help to increase the awareness of Torbay’s seahorses.”

Ellie Smith, from Cavanna Homes, said: “We are really excited to be supporting such a good cause and can’t think of a better way of celebrating both Cavanna’s and Paignton Zoo’s 90th birthdays. We are a family-run company based in Torquay, so we felt it was important to support a local artist and raise awareness of the seahorses in the Bay at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!”

This is the first time the couple has been involved in the same project. Deborah: “We are totally supportive of each other’s work. We were students together at Bath Academy of Art in the 1970s, we are both members of the prestigious Devon Guild of Craftsmen and we have exhibited our work together in France and Japan.”

As a ceramicist, Malcolm is used to working in 3D – but not on this scale. “I’m always limited by the size of the kiln!” Malcolm’s inspiration is also local: “The idea for Cool Ice Cream Bananas came from the fact that the South West is a major tourist area and I wanted a fun link between a gorilla and tourism. The ice cream cornet is a classic image of tourism, with the chocolate flake replaced by a banana. The blue represents the sky and the sea. The reflective orange sunglasses give him a detached feeling of coolness!”

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director, added: “Malcolm’s design immediately attracted our attention and we think shoppers will enjoy and appreciate our gorilla’s fun, summer inspired look while on display in Princesshay this August. We’re looking forward to seeing the final result and are pleased to be involved in this exciting project.”

Stand Tall for Giraffes celebrates Colchester Zoo’s 50th anniversary launched on Sunday 2 June 2013. We hope that this magnificant sculpture designed by our Creative Director, Chris Wilkinson, will prove to be a popular addition to our portfolio of animals.
Zoo Director Anthony Tropeano said: “Stand Tall is a fantastic spectacle for the people of Colchester. It’s an excellent way to raise vital funds for the conservation work and to celebrate our 50th anniversary. This is our gift to the people of Colchester and the surrounding area for their support over the years.”
Stand Tall will celebrate Colchester’s creativity with a safari of 2.5 metre giraffes – with 29 designs inspired by African colours; local history and characters together with 82 school giraffes, reflecting the extraordinary talent of young people. A big thank you to all the participating artists who have worked hard to make this event special.

Stand Tall is the culmination of over 12 month’s hard work by the Zoo and Kat Marketing. This could not have been possible without considerable support from a very impressive list of local companies, who have sponsored the troop of giraffes. Watch out for special offers from the sponsors and the Zoo over the next few weeks. Trail map is available from local venues and can be downloaded from the Colchester Zoo website.

Key Dates

Sunday 2 June to Monday 26 August – Launch of all other giraffes around the town

Saturday 31 August to Sunday 8 September – Stand Tall farewell tour, Colchester Zoo

9 September to 16 September – Giraffes stand on the banks of the Thames, More London

Thursday 19 September – Giraffes are auctioned off – all funds raised for Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild.

For further information about Stand Tall, please visit the Stand Tall website

Stand Tall App

Download the ‘state of the art’ Stand Tall App, suitable for all Android and iPhones. This will help you keep in touch with the artists and the inspirations behind the designs, event news as well as competitions and special offers from the Zoo and sponsors.

Wild in Art is commemorating Stand Tall with two beautiful bone china mugs as part of a series of 8 animal designs.   For further information, please visit the Wild in Art shop.

Coming up this Summer – GoGoGorillas! in Norwich; Gromit Unleashed in Bristol; Go! Rhinos in Marwell and the Great Gorillas Project in Paignton.

www.wildinart.co.uk/events

“I am really drawn to community art projects that reach a large audience outside of a typical gallery setting. Wild in Art campaigns and art trails in the UK  are a fantastic way for artists to reach a huge audience at a very national level. I think its a great way for young artists to start out as the sponsors pick the designs for the creatures based on the quality of the design. As an artist there is an enormous about of publicity to gain from being involved in the events as well as promote your own work and name at the same time.

An electric line-up of famous names will each transform a giant Gromit sculpture with their individual and creative designs for the high-profile public arts trail taking place this summer from July 1.

The latest wave of finished Gromit sculptures to be revealed have been designed by iconic designers Sir Paul Smith and Cath Kidston, Simon Tofield, award-winning illustrator and animator of the cartoon series Simon’s Cat and Richard Williams, the director of animation for Disney’s acclaimed film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit.’

Their Gromit sculptures will be joined in the grand trail by a stunning and diverse range of decorated statues from world famous artists. These include well-loved children’s author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake, whose inimitable drawings have adorned over 300 children’s books including his own and, most famously, those written by Roald Dahl; creator of the global ‘Where’s Wally’ phenomenon, Martin Handford and Richard ‘Golly’ Starzak, creator of Aardman’s hugely popular, internationally-renowned series, ‘Shaun the Sheep’.

Photographer: Oliver Edwards

Leading editorial cartoonist Peter Brookes and renowned illustrator Gerald Scarfe will be bringing their distinctive style to ‘Gromit Unleashed’, as will fashion and interiors designer, Celia Birtwell, whose bold, 1960s textile designs defined an era, British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake, who designed the Beatles album cover for ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band’; Turner prize nominee and installation artist Mark Titchner; extreme-angler and presenter of River Monsters, Jeremy Wade; contemporary landscape artist David Inshaw, whose famous painting ‘The Badminton Game’ was purchased by the Tate Gallery and Bristol-based urban street artist ‘Filthy Luker.’

The line-up also includes Gromit creator, Nick Park, Aardman co-founder, Peter Lord, the man behind The Snowman, Raymond Briggs, Axel Scheffler, who drew children’s favourite The Gruffalo, inventor of the wind-up radio, Trevor Baylis and comedian Harry Hill.

Around 40 local artists from Bristol and the region will also be taking part in Gromit Unleashed and making their own, unique mark on the giant statues.

After the public arts trail, the Gromit Unleashed sculptures, which have been individually sponsored by businesses, will be auctioned to raise funds towards Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal’s campaign to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK. The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, including an intraoperative MRI scanner, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance the £30 million investment by the NHS.

For further information and the latest news on the project, visit www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk.

For more information on events and activities taking place in Bristol during Gromit Unleashed, plus details on accommodation options in the city, visit www.visitbristol.co.uk.

The splendid colourful life-size lion sculptures arrived on the Waterfront in March and have proved to be a major hit with tourists and residents alike. Flanked by the iconic Table Mountain and in the heart of Cape Town at the world famous V&A Waterfront, these impressive works of art with their unique eye catching designs have created a huge amount of pleasure and interest for the Cape Town crowd and visitors to this popular area.

All the lions are inspirational in their design and their individual stories have captured the imagination of the visiting public, from the ornate gilt Grand Africa Team lion, inspired by the story of a real life rescued lion, unmissable in his gold leaf pelage and crown of red roses, to the Freddie Mercury lion that toured the UK prior to making his grand arrival in Cape Town.

The Shamwari Group lion lovingly carries the hand prints of the children of Paterson, the nearest town to the Shamwari Game Reserve. The KFM lion was designed and painted by David Hlongwane who lives in the Khayelitsha town ship and works on Robben Island, previously the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for many years and, today, a famous museum.

Each and all of these lions have their own fascinating narrative and form part of South Africa’s rich cultural history. Renowned local and international artists have created a real ‘wow’ factor in these sculptures and are clearly the pride of Cape Town.

The lions are ready for the final showcase at the gala auction, where art connoisseurs, philanthropists, members of the public and people from the business community will get the chance to bid for these exquisite lion masterpieces.

Virginia McKenna OBE says, “At last the moment will soon be here when the amazing Pride of Cape Town lions will be “released” into the world, to spread their urgent message. Lion conservation is at a critical moment. The “king of the jungle” is confronted by terrible threats, and the prospect of the lion’s roar being silenced forever is no longer just a thought at the back of one’s mind. This is a challenge we have to win.

I am looking forward so much to returning to the beautiful city of Cape Town that holds many childhood memories for me, and to be joining everyone at the Pride of Cape Town lion auction – raising vital funds for Born Free’s lion protection and conservation work. The lion is our symbol. We have to make sure it is a living one.”

The lion statues have made international news around the world, with Queen guitar legend Brian May & singing sensation Kerry Ellis flying into Cape Town to announce the lions arrival and South Africa’s platinum selling recording artists, The Parlotones, performing on stage and calling for support. The lions have also become stars of the South African media, appearing on the Expresso TV Show and national and local radio.

The proud African lion is now widely recognised as one of the continent’s most endangered wild animals and is following in the plight of other endangered species fighting for their very survival. With rhino numbers brutally crashing and elephants massacred for their ivory by illegal poaching, the need to conserve this cultural icon of Africa has never been more urgent. Monies raised from the auction will go to support the work of international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, in its work to protect and conserve Africa’s lions.

Sponsors of the lions include: Staedtler, Moyo, Land Rover, Chitwa Chitwa, Red Bush Tea, CP Construction, Lions Club International, Coca-Cola, KFM, Novartis, SAA, Grand Café & Beach, Shamwari Group, Mantis Collection, African Inspiration, Laugh it Off, V&A Waterfront, The Parlotones, Phoenix Mercury Trust, and 5FM.

Pride of Cape Town will culminate in a glamorous charity auction at moyo on the V&A Waterfront on 3rd of May 2013, where the entire Pride will be available to raise funds for lion conservation.

If you have a serious interest in placing a bid on one of the lions, please contact June McCann at

mccannjune@yahoo.com

The unique and splendidly colourful life-size fibreglass lion sculptures showcase the creativity of Cape Town: its heritage, architecture, regeneration and arts scene, as well as highlight the critical plight of lions in Africa.

Pride of Cape Town aims to raise money for Born Free’s work to protect and conserve lions in the wild. Lion numbers have dramatically dropped due to persecution, loss of habitat and unsustainable trophy-hunting. Their position has never been more perilous and there may be as few as 25,000 left across the entire continent. Born Free already has long-established links with South Africa and operates Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres at the prestigious Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

“What makes this whole event even more important is that it could help protect and conserve wild lions. I do hope everyone who cares about wildlife and, in particular, the future of lions, will want to join us and join in.”

Virginia McKenna OBE, actress and co-Founder of the Born Free Foundation

The lions have already made international news around the world, with Queen guitar legend Brian May and singing sensation Kerry Ellis flying into Cape Town to announce the lions arrival and South Africa’s platinum selling recording artists, The Parlotones, performing on stage and calling for support.

Pride of Cape Town will culminate in a glamorous charity auction on the V&A Waterfront on 3 May 2013, where the entire pride will be available to raise funds for lion conservation.

Take a look at all the amazing lions and find out more about the auction at www.prideofcapetown.com

The lions have been painted by a host of local and international artists and sponsored by influential individuals and South Africa’s finest companies, who have all pledged their support for Pride of Cape Town. Sponsors include:

Staedtler | Moyo | Land Rover | Chitwa Chitwa | Red Bush Tea | CP Construction | Lions Club International | Coca-Cola | KFM | Novartis | SAA | Grand Café & Beach | Shamwari Group | Mantis Collection | African Inspiration | Laugh it Off | V&A Waterfront | The Parlotones | Phoenix Mercury Trust | 5FM

Pride of Cape Town is being presented in partnership with Wild in Art and Shamwari Group and is kindly supported by the V&A Waterfront.

Pride of Cape Town Gallery

Singer Kerry Ellis talks to SABC3 Espresso Breakfast Show about Pride of Cape Town

Book Bench (medium)
L 1000m x seat height 320mm
Weight: 10kg

The TV Burp presenter joked that he wanted his design to ‘raise awareness of male baldness’.

He said: “Wallace and Gromit have world fame and are iconic British characters – it’s like being given Mickey Mouse, you feel a certain responsibility before you start to splash the paint on”.

“I decided my Gromit should raise awareness of male baldness. I’m not quite bald but I’m balding, so I’ve shaved Gromit back to his pink skin and put a bit of stubble on him”.

He added: “I’ll be sure to make every effort to come back for the trail. Bristol’s a great city and you can’t get a much better cause than raising money for a children’s hospital”.

His 1.5 metre high sculpture went on display at Wallace and Gromit’s Aardman Studios in front of the character’s creator Nick Park.

It is the first from around 40 local artists which will all be auctioned to raise money for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

Wallace and Gromit’s creator Nick Park said:

“I’ve always loved Harry’s work. When I found out he was an artist I thought who better to approach. He was so generous and immediately said yes”.

“I’m incredibly precious about Gromit so it’s been quite nerve wracking for me waiting to see what designs come back, but I think Harry’s is quite stunning and funny”.

“It’s such an honour and a privilege that my creation is the focus of all this attention.”

He then joked: “I can’t quite come to terms with it. I think Wallace might be feeling a bit left out!”

Other famous names who will be creating a Gromit include: Gromit’s creator Nick Park; Aardman co-founder Peter Lord; Raymond Briggs, the man behind The Snowman; Axel Scheffler, who drew the children’s character The Gruffalo; and the inventor of the wind-up radio, Trevor Bayliss.

Bristol-based Vivi Cuevas has painted Gromit like a baboon, while Martin Band of Chester, has painted a Union Jack Gromit.

Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal has already pledged £3.5 million to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, helping to fund an intraoperative MRI scanner, family facilities, and children’s artwork.

Find out more about Gromit Unleashed.

The sculptures which include a Giant Panda, Asian Elephant and Giraffe will be on display on Stand F50-G51.

One of the world’s most fascinating animals, the Giant Panda is a symbol of nature conservation. First developed for the WWF-UK Green Ambassador Summit hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales at Highgrove last summer, our Giant Panda sculpture will animate learning and debate around wildlife, conservation and the environment.

Taking inspiration from one of the world’s most intelligent and endangered creatures, our Asian elephant calf will allow children to unleash their creative talents while opening up discussion across a broad range of subjects.

A herd of giraffe sculptures will make their debut as part of this summer’s Stand Tall for Giraffes in Colchester. Our newest addition to the African Collection, the giraffes (who also have the largest hearts in the animal kingdom) will capture children’s imaginations and help them explore a range of curriculum subjects.

Wild in Art’s sculptures and education packs offer the perfect solution for teachers and educational providers to harness the power or creativity in cross-curricular and community learning. They take pupils on a journey of discovery and learning using the sculpture as an artist’s canvas for discussion, debate and research.

Also making its first appearance at the Education Show is Wild in Art’s new Book Bench. Building on the enthusiasm shown for their sculptures, Wild in Art has found a creative approach to literacy. The Book Bench provides the perfect opportunity for children and teachers to explore creativity in writing and poetry.

Charlie Langhorne, Director of Wild in Art says, “The creative process of designing and then decorating the sculptures will engage students of all ages.  It is an inclusive and memorable experience for teachers and pupils alike”.

Education Show Offers

Create a safari in your school

Choose 3 medium sculptures from the African Collection of lions, rhinos, hippos, African elephants, gorillas for the special price of £950 plus VAT.

Bring the English countryside into the classroom with the Owl and Frog Companion Set

At home in the classroom or as the centre piece of outside wildlife areas our Owl and Frog sculptures will open up debate around the flora and fauna of the British countryside.
Available at the special price of £600 plus VAT.

These offers are valid for orders placed from 14-31 March 2013. Subject to availability.

See Our Sculptures

For more information and to order your sculpture, call 01298 812189 or email hello@wildinart.co.uk

Cow (large)
H 1200mm L 1780mm W 600mm
Weight: 30kg

Cow (medium)
H 780mm L 1280mm W 400mm
Weight: 8kg

The frog will enhance the study of different habitats, reproduction and science.

Frog (medium)
H 750mm L 1150mm W 1000mm
Weight: 12kg

Asian Elephant (large)
H 1600mm L 2090mm W 800mm
Weight: 40kg

Asian Elephant (medium)
H 730mm L 1060mm W 410mm
Weight: 12kg

Giraffe (large)
H 2500mm L 1500mm W 460mm
Weight: 40kg

Giraffe (medium)
H 1300mm L 600mm W 400mm
Weight: 10kg

The baby gorillas gathered at the Start-Up Lounge at City College, Norwich ready to be collected by the schools taking part.

Children from Hethersett VC Junior School collect their gorilla

Over 50 unpainted gorillas will be decorated by children and young people before being displayed on the streets of Norwich as part of this summer’s live outdoor art event – GoGoGorillas!

Participating schools also received a special Education Pack to support their activity and inspire teachers and pupils to get creative.

Schools already signed-up include West Earlham, Cringleford Primary, Reepham Primary and Dereham St Nicholas Junior School.

Martin Green, fundraising officer at Break says: “The GoGoGorillas trail will take place for ten weeks during the summer of 2013. We’re keen to get children involved and as well as being fun and sparking imagination, the project also enables children to learn about conservation, the plight of the gorillas and discover their behavourial traits.”

Martin adds: “A school map detailing all of the locations of the GoGoGorillas trail will be available so that children can find the final destination for their Gorilla this summer.”

Sally Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild In Art said: “Wild in Art is pleased to get such a positive response from schools across the county. Creativity plays a vital role in education and it is hoped that this project will inspire young people to become interested in art and culture from a young age.”

Over 50 lifesize gorillas are set to appear in Norwich for 10 weeks from 24 June to raise money for Norfolk charity Break, which supports children, young people and families in the region, and The Born Free Foundation.

If you are interested in sponsoring a gorilla, don’t miss the GoGoGorillas! sponsor event which will take place on 26 February from 4-7pm at The Space on Roundtree Way.

Follow all the GoGoGorillas! progress by visiting www.gogogorillas.co.uk

For sponsorship enquiries contact Martin Green by emailing martin.g@break-charity.org or calling 01603 670107.

For school enquiries, please contact Wild in Art on 01298 812189 or email hello@wildinart.co.uk

Gromit Unleashed is the first public art trail to feature an internationally-renowned character and it will take place in Bristol during the summer of 2013. Giant sculptures of Gromit, individually designed by artists will be displayed on the streets of Bristol for 10 weeks from 1 July until 7 September, creating an amazing trail of at least 60 unique pieces of art.

We would love Bristol’s youngest citizens to be at the heart of the event and we are inviting schools to get involved.

Each participating school will receive a Gromit Unleashed Schools Pack containing:

1. A 75cm blank Gromit sculpture.

2. A Gromit Unleashed Schools Education Pack tailored specifically to the KS1, KS2 and KS3 curriculums featuring:

• Inspirational art ideas and guidance on designing your Gromit.
• Engaging cross curricular content for a whole term of work.
• A huge variety of themes to develop learning and encourage debate.
• ‘Hands on’ Aardman Animations worksheets focused on animation and illustration.
• Ideas for encouraging citizenship and fundraising through supporting the Grand Appeal.

Why your school should take part:

The opportunity to participate in the most exciting event in Bristol in 2013 and decorate internationally loved and recognised character Gromit!

Your school will be entered into fantastic competitions, including the chance to have an Aardman model maker visit your school for a Wallace & Gromit workshop!

Your school name and your Gromit sculpture will be displayed on the Gromit Unleashed website. We would love to hear about how you are decorating your Gromit designs.

Your school sculpture can be displayed in your community centre, a nearby place of worship, or your local library for the duration of the 10 week trail to involve and engage your local community.

Your school will be featured in Gromit Unleashed schools press releases to local media.

Your very own Gromit to treasure at your school, which you can keep, or the choice to raffle/auction your sculpture at the end of the trail with 50% of the proceeds for your school and 50% of the proceeds to be donated to The Grand Appeal to help sick children from throughout Bristol, the South West and South Wales.

School packs and sculptures will be available for collection from a central Bristol location on 18th February 2013.

Download the Gromit Unleashed Schools information pack and order form (pdf)

For more information please email amy@Grandappeal.org.uk

Find out more at www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk

Raymond Briggs and Axel Scheffler will join Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park for Gromit Unleashed, which will see around sixty hand-painted and crafted sculptures gracing the streets of Gromit’s home base in Bristol during the summer.

Illustrator Axel Scheffler and author Julia Donaldson created the popular Gruffalo books which were turned into animated TV hits during the past two years. Their latest creation, which featured during the festive period, is a new animated film of the story Room on the Broom, about a kind-spirited witch who keeps losing her belongings. The illustrator was also been chosen by Royal Mail to create this year’s Christmas stamps.

Raymond Briggs, one of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors and creator of popular favourites like Fungus the Bogeyman, The Bear and Father Christmas, has seen the film of his classic story The Snowman screened annually during Christmas for the past 30 years. The eagerly-anticipated sequel The Snowman and the Snow Dog was screened on Christmas Eve.

Raymond Briggs says:

“Nick Park is one of my heroes. So when he asked me to paint a Gromit for him, I could scarcely believe it. I must get on with it now, but we can’t get it through the door!”

Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park is closely involved with the project and will be designing one of the sculptures on the trail himself. He adds:

“I can’t wait to see how Gromit will look decorated by artists like Raymond Briggs and Axel Scheffler who are associated with such fantastic characters of their own. I love the concept of these art trails and to have ‘Gromit at large’ is slightly scary in a nice way for me, but also an incredible honour.”

Speaking about how he feels to be re-creating his famous character for the exhibition, he says: “It’s a great challenge – being so close, it’s hard to know how to design him.  I think I may have to look to Wallace for some inspiration!”

Nicola Masters, Director of The Grand Appeal says:

“We are delighted to have internationally renowned artists Axel Scheffler and Raymond Briggs, whose own characters are so well loved, taking part in Gromit Unleashed.”

“We’re having an amazing response from artists and designers who we’ve invited to take part, as well as literally hundreds of approaches from local artists who want to be part of this exciting project.”

All funds from Gromit Unleashed will go towards the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK. The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance the £30 million investment by the NHS.

To keep up to date with the latest news visit www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk

Inspired by the famous ‘HUE 166′ – the very first Series 1 Land Rover, Luey the Lion was created by the award-winning Land Rover Design team and first appeared as part of the summer’s Go Safari Northampton event.

A dozen Luey the Lions are now raising partnership awareness for Land Rover’s Global Conservation Partner and wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation. As special guests of the All-New Range Rover Global Media Drive in Morocco, they have made appearances between the Atlas Mountains, to the Palasis Namaskar, stretching all the way from Essaouira to Marrakech.

A pair of Luey the Lions was presented to the Mayors of Marrakech and Essaouira, respectively, for the local townships as a thank you legacy gift. A pair of Luey the Lions will also permanently reside at the Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, Morocco.

Following Morocco, the remaining Luey the Lions will tour the UK, followed by global appearances around the world in 2013.

Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director said;

“We are delighted that we’re able to show our support to Born Free, our Global Conservation Partner, as well as involve our very own designers for creative collaborations.”

“Our Luey the Lion sculpture is inspired by our famous ‘HUE 166′ – the very first Series 1 Land Rover, which is affectionately known throughout the business as ‘Huey’. Luey uses the same colours, graphics and textures from this icon, celebrating both our association with the Born Free Foundation and our long heritage.”

Virginia McKenna, Founder of Born Free Foundation said;

“Born Free’s heritage with Land Rover goes back to the days of Elsa, George and Joy Adamson and the film Born Free, in which I acted with my late husband Bill.”

“Today Born Free’s association with Land Rover is stronger than ever, through our charity work for conservation and wild animal welfare around the world. I am so delighted that Luey the Lion is flying the flag for both Land Rover and Born Free on this exciting adventure”.

The public art installation exhibitions are part of a series of global events in which Land Rover has been collaborating with the Born Free Foundation. Since 2008, Land Rover has helped vital funds to be raised for Born Free’s conservation work to protect and conserve wildlife in the wild, via Wild in Art events including: Go Elephants in Norwich (2008); Pride of Northampton (2010); Pride in Bournemouth (2011); Go Safari Northampton (2012).

Wild in Art’s lion sculpture was created by Creative Director Chris Wilkinson and has appeared at events including Pride of Northampton, Pride in Bournemouth, Go Safari Northampton and will appear in 2013 at Pride of Cape Town.

Giant sculptures of Gromit, one of the world’s best-loved and triple Oscar-winning animated characters, will be unleashed onto the streets of Bristol next summer in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity.

Leading artists and designers from around the world, alongside local artists will be invited to create their own, original, one-of-a-kind Gromits which will appear across his home base of Bristol and beyond during summer 2013.

Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park is closely involved with the project and will be designing one of the sculptures on the trail himself.

Nick Park, Creator of Wallace & Gromit says:

“I can’t wait to see how Gromit will look decorated by so many different artists. I love the concept of these art trails and to have ‘Gromit at large’ is slightly scary in a nice way for me, but also an incredible honour.”

Each Gromit will be available for business sponsorship before they are auctioned off in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.

Nick Park, who is also Patron of The Grand Appeal says:

“This will be a lovely fun project, which will hopefully appeal to all ages.  It’s always great to see how warm people are to Gromit and the work of the Grand Appeal is close to my heart.  All round, it’s a crackin’ idea!”

All funds from ‘Gromit Unleashed’ will go towards the charity’s appeal to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK. The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance the £30 million investment by the NHS.

To keep up to date with the latest news visit www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk

Giant sculptures of Gromit, one of the world’s best-loved and triple Oscar-winning animated characters, will be unleashed onto the streets of Bristol next summer in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity.

Leading artists and designers from around the world, alongside local artists will be invited to create their own, original, one-of-a-kind Gromits which will appear across his home base of Bristol and beyond during summer 2013.

Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park is closely involved with the project and will be designing one of the sculptures on the trail himself.

Nick Park, Creator of Wallace & Gromit says:

“I can’t wait to see how Gromit will look decorated by so many different artists. I love the concept of these art trails and to have ‘Gromit at large’ is slightly scary in a nice way for me, but also an incredible honour.”

Each Gromit will be available for business sponsorship before they are auctioned off in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.

Nick Park, who is also Patron of The Grand Appeal says:

“This will be a lovely fun project, which will hopefully appeal to all ages.  It’s always great to see how warm people are to Gromit and the work of the Grand Appeal is close to my heart.  All round, it’s a crackin’ idea!”

All funds from Gromit Unleashed will go towards the charity’s appeal to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK. The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance the £30 million investment by the NHS.

To keep up to date with the latest news visit www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk