ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

"Hello" - Portrait of Jambo by Deana Bada. All Rights Reserved.

This is a portrait of Jambo, a silver back Gorilla born in captivity in a zoo. Jambo means "hello" in Swahili. Jambo protected a little boy who fell into his enclosure in 1986. He demonstrated the kindness in even the strongest of creatures and we in turn must protect them!

I have been an observer of nature all my life. I am continually awestruck at the beauty of the natural world and the magic and mystery in every living thing. My work is a study of living forms, celebrating the structure of how something is made along with the transcendental presence of the subject.

I tell a story in each of my pieces using symbolism in found materials incorporated in my work whether it is the subject’s natural surroundings, life or journey. I have a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the Art Institute of Chicago.

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