Video CONSERVATION & CONTEMPORARY ART COMBINE TO CREATE A NEW VEHICLE FOR CHANGE DAVID GREYBEARD ARTIST LISA ROET

DAVID GREYBEARD, by artist Lisa Roet, is a 9m h x 12m w x12m d lightweight sculpture made from a finely spun metallic material, fabricated in Melbourne by Airena.

The collaboration between the artist and ethologist is a celebration of the exceptional work of Dr Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute globally.

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This sculpture was created to celebrate the 60-year anniversary of Dr Jane Goodall’s ground breaking scientific research into chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania.

With the advent of global environmental issues and social change, the David Greybeard project stands to represent all species welcoming the viewer in a gesture of inclusion and reconciliation.

Based on the image of Jane’s gentle muse, David Greybeard, the sculpture was created by artist Lisa Roet, to raise awareness around humans relationship with nature and our closest animal relative, while drawing attention to the conservation efforts of the Jane Goodall Institute. Roet acknowledges UNESCOS call for the preservation of the Great Ape, seen as the umbrella species for the rainforest systems with deforestation the greatest threat to our environment through global warming.

THE LEAST I CAN DO IS SPEAK FOR THOSE THAT CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

DR JANE GOODALL

David Greybeard was the chimpanzee to whom Dr Jane Goodall dedicated her first groundbreaking research papers about emotion and communication in animals.
Months after Jane’s arrival in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, David Greybeard was the first to accept Jane, allowing her to observe his community and chimpanzee behaviour. It was during this time David Greybeard demonstrated to Jane how chimpanzees use tools.

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This was an important observation, as it was believed that only man was capable of making tools. Subsequently, Dr Goodall’s observations of chimpanzee behaviour forced the scientific community to redefine the definition of humankind. Jane shared her groundbreaking observation with renowned paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, who responded…

NOW WE MUST REDEFINE TOOL, REDEFINE MAN, OR ACCEPT CHIMPANZEES AS HUMANS.

DR LOUIS LEAKEY

Lisa Roet is an artist who, for over three decades, has been driven by the question… What is it to be human? I AM APE Lisa Roet is an artist who has been drawn to the question of what it means to be human.

She uses the image of primates as a catalyst for discussion about the environment and the evolving place of humanity.

For Roet, the ape acts as the mirror to the human.

Extensive research into her subject matter by working with scientists and conservationists have resulted in a vast range of artworks exhibited globally.

BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS
Roet's large scale public installations depicting newly discovered yet highly endangered species of primates, highlight the epoch of the anthropocene and its impact on mass extinction of species.
WE ARE APE
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DR JANE GOODALL & THE JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE

The Jane Goodall Institute was established in Australia in 2007. 2020 is an important year for conservation and for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). It marks 60-years since Jane arrived in Gombe, Tanzania to begin her groundbreaking study of wild chimpanzees.

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This study led to programs such as TACARE, a community-centred conservation and development program creating sustainable livelihoods while promoting environmental protection. 

Dr Goodall’s pioneering research is now the longest running study of any species worldwide. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. Please support this work to protect chimpanzees by becoming a Chimp Guardian.

The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, the global environmental and humanitarian movement for youth of all ages, is found in over 130 countries.(www.rootsandshoots.org.au). 

THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE PLANET IS THE BELIEF SOMEONE ELSE WILL SAVE IT

DR JANE GOODALL

ACM respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.