It started with an elephant..
I was commissioned to create a lifesize one, but needed a point of reference to work from. One phone call to Colchester Zoo later, and the seeds were sewn. I visited the zoo, met with the elephant and got talking to various keepers and staff.

It was then I found out all about Rajang, the Orangutan.
Rajang is the zoo's oldest resident having been there since 1980

Along with his mate, Djambe, they're being moved into a brand new, state of the art, enclosure sometime in the summer of 2008.

To coincide with, and to promote this special occasion, the people at Colchester asked me to create a one off picture of Rajang which they intend to auction on the big day, as well as selling some limited edition prints.
This is what I've come up with. Can you see the likeness?