Artists for Conservation (AFC) is a Canadian non-profit representing over 500 artists from over 30 countries who are committed to creating concrete and lasting positive impact in wildlife conservation. The group does this through joint exhibitions, public programs, and contributing funds to wildlife conservation. The organization was founded in 1997 and has grown to contain some of the industry’s biggest names, including Ray Easton and Serena Bates. All this is why the work done by Artists for Conservation (AFC) is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Life on Land and Life Below Water.
Aside from being able to look up artworks through their individual artist’s page, on the AFC website audiences will be able to search for artworks based on the different causes and NGOs their profits are pledged to or based on the different environmental days they are paying homage to. This ensures extra transparency, all while giving collectors the flexibility to choose and target which wildlife conservation causes they would like to contribute to. The platform’s organization also ensures that the conservation efforts for all of these different animals are given equal chances to be presented to potential collectors and donors.
Though it may seem like it at first glance, artworks catalogued by the AFC are not limited to figurative realism art of different animals. Some, such as works by Monica Gewurz, are in fact abstract art that reflects on other elements of the natural world. Gewurz’ seemingly abstract colour blocks, which resemble those made by artists who belonged to the Colour Field movement, are in fact renderings of different skies around the planet. Gazing at her paintings gives her viewers the same effect as looking at a sunset or a sunrise: a type of awe that inspires movement and change for the better. In the context of the AFC, her pieces represent hope for a world where today’s mass species extinction is halted once and for all.
Today’s mass extinction, otherwise known scientifically as the sixth mass extinction, is exactly why the work that AFC does is crucial. Currently, wildlife is going extinct at almost 10,000 times higher than natural extinction rates, and its leading cause has been human activity, which disrupts natural habitats by polluting the environment. This is why conservation efforts are crucial today, the very same efforts that the AFC is championing through their artworks.
Artists for Conservation (AFC) showcases the powerful role art can play in advocating for wildlife conservation. Through the collective efforts of over 500 artists from around the world, AFC not only raises awareness about the urgent need to protect endangered species but also generates tangible support for conservation initiatives. By offering a diverse range of artworks, from figurative to abstract, the organization connects conservation efforts with a broad audience, encouraging them to contribute to various environmental causes. As humanity faces a biodiversity crisis like never before, the work of AFC demonstrates how the vital intersection between art, education, and activism can help preserve the planet's natural heritage.
Find out more about Artists for Conservation (AFC) and their initiatives by checking their Instagram on @artistsforconservation or their website on www.artistsforconservation.org.