New York, March 2009- The original Foolsgold took place at Stanton Gallery in the Lower East Side. It was a benefit for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant and rhino sanctuary in Nairobi, Kenya dedicated to the protection of calves orphaned from illegal ivory poaching. The ban on ivory stockpiles in South Africa had recently been lifted which meant an overall increase in the demand for ivory. Thus the theme of the first show was the use of animal parts as ornament for the sake of vanity. The exhibition was titled Foolsgold in reference to the false value humans place on these trophies while ignoring the the real value; the living beings.
The artists featured in the exhibition were Shanan Campanaro, Lana Crooks, Maria Kozak, Meg McGreevy, Jeramie Tolentino, and Alexander Zaklynsky.
The show was sponsored by the New York Foundation of Art, Red Bull, Evian, Brenzin, Iceberg Vodka, Eskayel, Wurst Edits, and Rabbit on the Run. It was heavily attended and nearly all of the work sold during the silent auction. Representatives from the trust were in attendance to answer questions and arrange several adoptions.
For more information on the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust please click here.