Far East leopard is «watching» Vladivostok from the Eagle Knoll

A huge image of the Far Eastern leopard appeared on the wall, located on one of the highest points of Vladivostok – Orlynaya Sopka (Eagle Knoll). It was painted by Sonny – South African street art artist. This art object was created in Vladivostok for the fifth V-ROX festival and became part of the international project on the protection of rare and endangered species of animals «To the Bone». Ilya Lagutenko, curator of V-ROX, is a member of the advisory council of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Russia and an active protector of the Amur tiger and the Far Eastern leopard.

Ilya Lagutenko, curator of the V-ROX Festival: «This action is organized by the artist in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and attracts attention to the problem of the extinction and extermination of rare species of animals. We are grateful that the action was supported in Vladivostok by «Far Eastern Leopard» national park, Far Eastern Federal University, city administration of Vladivostok».

It took seven days and 240 liters of paint to create the graffiti and the work was completed on time in spite of Vladivostok unpredictable and changeable weather. As Sonny says it was a real pity that he couldn’t see all the festival gigs as he was working during all the daylight hours. Now his leopard «watches» the city, reminding both the jubilee V-ROX, and the need to preserve and protect the Far Eastern leopard.