In 2016, I visited the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya, where orphaned and injured young elephants are cared for before their hopeful return to the wild. This remarkable sanctuary is part of the Namunyak Community Conservancy, and it was there, watching the frolicking, playful calves, that I was first inspired to create my elephant pendant. Young elephants are endlessly entertaining—just thinking of them still brings a smile to my face.
On a later trip to Tanzania with Nomad, I revisited the pendant idea, this time sculpting from life in the Serengeti. There, I created the larger plasticine original, which was later digitally reduced in size and cast in gold or silver using the lost-wax method. I love the organic, nugget-like quality the pendant has—it feels both natural and timeless.