The Great Tusker — Origin
An encounter in Tsavo.
The Great Tusker began with Irima 2, photographed by Mital Patel in Tsavo East, Kenya, in 2023.
Irima 2 is one of a small number of big tuskers — elephants whose ivory reaches the ground — still living in Africa. Tsavo East is home to the largest known concentration of these animals.
I spent four days searching for the big tuskers, eight to ten hours each day. On the fourth day, our ranger from Tsavo Trust spotted Irima 2 in the distance. We approached slowly, leaving him plenty of space. Before us stood the most majestic creature I had ever seen. After days of searching, there he was.
Mital PatelFrom Lens to Line.
Translating Irima's portrait into geometry was a careful balance. Too many lines distracted from his form; too few lost the details that made him recognizable. The aim was to preserve his presence while giving the design enough simplicity to read clearly on the piece.
This is the artwork on your piece. It began with Irima 2, and now you know its origin.
Protecting Tsavo's great tuskers.
Irima's story connects this design to Tsavo and to the work of Tsavo Trust. Since 2012, Tsavo Trust has worked alongside Kenya Wildlife Service to protect elephants and the wider Tsavo Conservation Area through aerial reconnaissance and ranger operations.
Tembo contributes 30% of profits from this piece directly to Tsavo Trust, supporting its conservation work.
Explore Tsavo Trust's work ↗Welcome to the Tembo Tribe.
Thank you for discovering Irima's story. The piece you carry connects you to him, to the art he inspired, and to the work of Tsavo Trust.
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