Alpana Ahuja worked with Suraj in 2017 to create some beautiful pieces. This special piece is worked in shades of ochre and brown, the colours of the Indian desert and one can see a fort worked into the background.
Elephants are still used to ferry tourists up and down forts in India. The hot stone/tarred roads burn their feet. They are decorated and made to stand still for hours waiting for tourists.

The rescued elephants at Wildlife SOS have all walked away from such pasts, and are free to splash around!

This 'Padchinh' is   an original footprint of Suraj, a rescued temple elephant at the Wildlife SOS, Elephant Conservation and Care Center in India. 

About the artist:

This is a collaborative work of Suraj the elephant and Singapore-based India-born artist, Alpana Ahuja, who worked closely for several months with Wildlife SOS to understand the challenges Indian elephants face in the wild and in captivity.

Alpana said, “I was moved to tears when I saw the plight of the elephants, but I was filled with hope when I saw the efforts made by NGO Wildlife SOS to heal and protect these elephants. I decided to take the help of art to raise awareness and funds to help the elephants in India."

This painting is unique, special and original and was created with tremendous patience, subject entirely to Suraj's decision to participate in the process, largely influenced by bananas, dates and other treats!  Alpana painted the background and Suraj stepped on the canvas to leave his footprint.  

No cruelty or negative conditioning was used in the creation of this painting.

The purchase of this item can feed Suraj for two weeks!