Artist Natalia Kapchuk’s latest project, The Lost Animals, emerges as a needed response to one of the most pressing crises of our time: the alarming decline and impending extinction of the planet’s critically endangered species. As both an artist and eco-activist, Kapchuk uses her craft to shines a spotlight on the urgent plight of these creatures, many of which reside on The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
This project serves as a poignant call to action, with each sculpture in the series represents a unique species, advocating for their protection and conservation. Kapchuk’s work is informed by years of meticulous research into the habitats and life histories of these endangered marine species. Her dedication is evident in the intricate craftsmanship of each piece, which employs materials such as recycled fiberglass using flocking techniques and finishes with hand detailing and electroplating.
Vividly crafted, Kapchuk’s sculptures capture the fascinating beauty and fragility of the selected species, emotionally underscoring the severe threats posed by human activities—such as commercial fishing, poaching, and pollution. These threats contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems and the broader environmental crisis, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
In Kapchuk’s own words: “The diversity, beauty, grace, and mystery of our planet’s marine life have deeply inspired me. Sadly, many species face drastic population declines and potential extinction, primarily due to human activities. Through The Lost Animals series, I aim to confront these critical threats, awakening viewers to the profound and heartbreaking realities facing our planet’s wildlife and fostering a greater commitment to conservation and protection.”
The sculptures presented in this impactful series feature vulnerable species such as the Blue Whale, Great Hammerhead, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Spinetail Devil Ray, Spotted Seahorse, Green Humphead Parrotfish, Great White Shark, Killer Whale, and Sunflower Starfish. Through this collection, Kapchuk highlights the immediate risks facing these species and calls for collective action to prevent their extinction, preserving the delicate balance of Earth’s marine ecosystems.
The Lost Animals stands as a profound personal manifesto by Artist Natalia Kapchuk, transforming the precarious situation of each endangered species into a visual and emotional experience that challenges us all to confront and address the environmental crises affecting our planet.
From Great to Gone, 2023
Mixed Media Sculpture
Recycled Fiberglass, Electroplating Chrome
80 x 87 x 94 cm
From Great to Gone is an allegorical sculpture created by artist Natalia Kapchuk from her series The Lost Animals. The sculpture showcases the Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias), a widely recognized yet increasingly vulnerable ocean predator in all its majesty. Combining recycled fiberglass with silver, pink, and black chrome electroplating, the sculpture begets a powerful yet realistic appearance, emphasizing its symbolic and conceptual depth.
The Great White Shark plays a critical role in marine ecosystems as a top predator, contributing to species balance and preventing overpopulation and ecosystem degradation. Despite its significance, the species is facing severe threats. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Great White Shark is classified as Vulnerable, with its population declining.
The primary threats to this majestic predator stem from human activities. These include hunting for fins—driven by the demand for shark fin soup, which results in the death of about 30 million sharks annually—along with the exploitation of jaws and teeth for souvenirs and trophies. Additionally, Great White Sharks often fall victim to bycatch in commercial fisheries and become entangled in protective nets designed for beaches.
From Great to Gone vividly depicts the trophy head of a Great White Shark, symbolizing commercial exploitation and its grave consequences. The sculpture's use of recycled fiberglass and chrome electroplating techniques offers a visually striking and modern appeal, highlighting the sharp contrast between the shark's outward splendor, valued by humans, and the critical threats to its existence.