🐓 The Last Elephant

Artist John Vincent’s work captures elephants walking through Sri Lanka’s paddy fields, with a baby elephant picking water lilies as offerings. Framed by ancient trees growing through rocks, the scene reminds us of the island’s Eden-like beauty. Twelve colourful paintings on elephant dung paper inspire us all to act to protect these wonderful wild creatures before it is too late. Trunk Call – The Astrologer’s Daughter by Juliet Coombe and John Vincent is a beautiful fairytale with a heart-rending message that elephants are on the 2023 list of the world’s most endangered animals (IUCN Red List). This exhibition is a call to love and to care, reigniting a dialogue with the world, with each other and with nature.

Juliet Coombe

Originally from London and now living in Galle, Juliet Coombe is passionate about the stories behind paintings and about Sri Lanka’s creative thinking. The author of The Power of Sri Lankan Art and Drawn to Galle Fort, she has also written a number of travel guides to the island, including Sri Lanka’s Other Half –  the first such book to focus on the North and East – and Colombo City Guide. The bestselling Around The Galle Fort in 80 Lives is now in its fourth edition. 

Juliet delved into the six regions of Sri Lanka’s tea in Generation T, documented the island’s cuisine in The Devil’s Palette and wrote a robust environmental guide for Jetwing Hotels entitled Paradise Exorcised. Her investigations into island curses going back to ancient times inspired her talk on Vivien Leigh’s brief time in Sri Lanka shooting the Hollywood film Elephant Walk. When she is not pioneering walking trails and exploring waterways, Juliet is attending film festivals like Cannes in the hope to one day produce a film about the island that she feels honoured to call home. 

John Vincent

John Vincent combines rhythm, movement and spirit in his artist works. He also spearheads Bokka Almeida, an art resort in Hikkaduwa which offers creative experiences ranging from tile painting to drumming classes. John’s sculptures can be found in Brief Garden, in Hikkaduwa, at The Lace Maker’s House in Devon, and in London, amongst other places. He is a member of the UK National Union of Journalists’ professional photographic body.