Public art comes in many forms. We experienced an impressive collection of elephant sculptures on the grounds of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. They were part of a traveling exhibit of one hundred elephants sculpted by 200 artisans in the Nilgiri Hills of South India. In addition to the 52 sculptures on the Salve Regina campus, The Great Elephant Migration has more at The Breakers, Rough Point Museum, and the Great Friends Meeting House.
Happy World Photography Day, August 19, 2024
Elephants on The Cliff Walk
Many visitors seemed to follow the famous Cliff Walk, connecting all these spots of this extensive public art. Taking advantage of a good weather day Jan and I drove to the Salve Regina University McAuley Hall last Wednesday (August 14, 2024). I checked the exhibit location on the maps and saw two streets on either side with parking spots. I noticed a parking spot on the main street as we approached the building. Not knowing whether there would be any available spaces on the street, I parked there, removed Jan’s rollator from the trunk, and slowly walked on Shepard Ave. As we walked to the path leading to the elephants, we passed by many parking slots.
Even from the street, the display of life-size elephants with visitors mingling with them was quite impressive. We slowly walked toward the elephants seemingly walking in groups of mothers with smaller calves. The sculptures were impressive indeed, both in size and their life-like appearance. Their eyes even felt like making eye contact.
We walked around slowly and took photographs of the hand-sculpted elephants with occasional stops for Jan to sit in the rollator. I took a picture of Jan in front of one of the sculptures and a visitor asked if we would like her to take a picture of the two of us. I handed her the camera and she snapped two. Thank you, stranger!
Click on the images to see them larger, uncropped, and read their titles.


We started heading towards the street since we were feeling a little tired. I parked Jan and her rollator under a tree and slowly walked to bring the car. I placed her rollator in the trunk and we had a nice ride back home having enjoyed a unique form of art. The Great Migration will travel through the country and end up in Los Angeles in 2025.
A Personal Connection
Although I had read that the sculptures were created using an invasive and poisonous weed, I did not know what it was. As I researched a few more things before writing this article, I learned that the weed was Lantana Camara. That name made me relive the late 1950s when we lived on the Seyan Lake in company-provided housing.
One of the bushes in our backyard was Lantana! I enjoyed grabbing the flower cluster and pulling a handful of tiny, multi-colored florets. I had no idea that it was a poisonous plant! I remembered scanning an old photograph of me with my mother with the bush in the background on the right edge. Suddenly, those sculpted beauties felt a little closer!
The Great Migration of Elephants will be here until September 2, 2024. If you have time between reading this and their departure date it is worth a trip to see the beautiful giants.
Jan’s Photographs








Cemal’s Photographs












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Laura Landen
Lovely photos, both of you. What impressive sculptures. And the lantana seems well suited for the job.
A. Cemal Ekin
Thanks, Laura. It was an enjoyable visit to the display. That is reflected in the photographs. And, the lantana …
Take care,
Cemal
Haluk Atamal
At first I thought like “kırk altın verin, kırk da sopa atın”. On further reading on the internet, I learned the fascinating story behind it. Thanks for sharing wonderful images from this wonderful event. The technique used is still not very clear to me. Are the dried weeds covering metal skeletons?
It is also interesting to note that each elephant was made after a real model. Incredible.
Take care and best regards,
Haluk
A. Cemal Ekin
You are right, Haluk, they were quite impressive. One could feel the attachment between them, the mother, and the child. I am glad you enjoyed the exhibit.
Take care,
Cemal
JamesTurner
Quite impressive the way those beasts were constructed. Now as far as Lantana, you think someone might get a lifelong rash from such a plant.
Enjoyed you description of your visit.
A. Cemal Ekin
Thanks, Jim. And, yes, my rash goes back to that time even making me spend a night in the hospital.
Cemal