This project is a collaboration between myself and Pippa Keel. 

We were asked by Wellington Zoo to paint a mural in the tiger viewing areas, inspired by the Sumatran rainforest where the tigers are from and the two beautiful tigers they have at the zoo. 

To create this artwork we first spent time researching all of the different flora and fauna found in the Sumatran rainforest before creating concepts and a colour palette for the client to approve. 

Once approved we then freehand our designs onto a base colour on the wall and start painting in our details.

It was such an incredible experience working next to Bashii and Senja every day. We really got to know their personalities and developed such an appreciation of how truly special these animals are. In the wild they are critically endangered and the funds that Wellington Zoo gets from it's visitors goes back into animal conservation for endangered animals like them.

Thanks so much to Jude Turner and Wellington Zoo for trusting us with this incredible project! Thanks to Bashii and Senja for being such incredible hosts. If you want to do your bit to help with tiger conservation, a great way to start is by looking for the FSC logo when you buy many of your everyday household items to ensure they are made in a way that isn't destroying the habitat of tigers.

Photography by Ricky Situ