2008
36" x 36"
Mixed Media

It could be said that the tiger is the most charismatic mammal in the world. The spectacular coat and solitary habits give it an aura of beauty and mystery unequaled, even by the lion.

In ancient times tigers were killed as predators of domestic animals as well as of humans. Some of the dwindling tiger populations are still hunted for these reasons. During the days of the Raj, both British rulers and maharajahs took part in tiger hunts for sport, often from the backs of elephants. The beauty and ferocity of these cats provided a machismo lure which lead to massive slaughter. The evidence can still be seen in the tiger skins on the floors and walls of palaces in India.

In 1972 under the influence of Prince Philip and World Wildlife Fund, the prime minister Indira Gandhi banned tiger hunting. However the slaughter continues in the form of illegal poaching because certain cultures consider tiger parts to be folk medicines and they are ready to pay high prices for virtually every part of a dead tiger. Powdered bones can fetch as much as $1450/lb and tiger penis soup runs $320 a bowl. The money is so tempting to the peasants in tiger country that laws make no difference. It is also very profitable to the middlemen and merchants who can bribe police, rangers and officials. Human population growth leads to conflict and competition for habitat. As a result Bengal tiger populations have fallen from an estimated 40,000 in 1900 to around 4,000 today.

The centerpiece of this painting is based on a tiger skin rug from an old British tea plantation. I think that it is a good idea to shed light on bad practices that are endangering the precious wildlife of this planet.