Tusk Gorilla Trail brings sculptures to London’s Covent Garden

Contributors from the world of art, design, film, photography and comedy came up with designs for the sculptures

English rock musician Ronnie Wood, best known as an official member of the Rolling Stones, poses next to his Gorilla at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail in Covent Garden, London, Thursday, July 13, 2023. The trail includes fifteen sculptures with designs by artists including Ronnie and Sally Wood, Rankin, Chila Burman, Adam Dant, Barnaby Barford, Jemma Powell, Hannah Shergold and Nick Gentry. (James Manning / PA via AP)

Wood and his wife Sally at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. Getty

Rankin and the Woods at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. Getty

Wood poses next to his gorilla. PA

Wood and photographer Rankin pose next to Rankin's gorilla. PA

Rankin and Hayden Kays at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. Getty

Barnaby Barford at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. Getty

Barford and Charles Uzzell-Edwards at the launch. Getty

Uzzell-Edwards at the launch. Getty

Jemma Powell at the launch at Covent Garden. Getty

Hannah Shergold poses at the launch. Getty

Nick Gentry at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. Getty

From left, Dant, Powell, Michelle McGrath, the Woods, Edwards, Gentry, Kays, Rankin, Chila Burman and Barford at the launch. PA

Gorilla statues at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. PA

Gorilla statues unveiled at the launch of the Tusk Gorilla Trail. PA

Gorilla statues on display in Covent Garden. PA

The statues were designed by a number of prominent artists. Getty

Fifteen life-size gorilla sculptures were unveiled in London’s West End on Thursday as part of the Tusk Gorilla Trail, in partnership with African conservation charity Tusk and Westbrook Gallery.

The gorillas are embellished with designs from an array of artists from the worlds of design, film, photography and even comedy.

Artists including the Rolling Stone’s Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally, as well as acclaimed British photographer Rankin, Chila Burman, Adam Dant, Barnaby Barford, Jemma Powell, Hannah Shergold and Nick Gentry contributed designs for the sculptures.

The artworks will be on display in Covent Garden and Seven Dials throughout the summer.

All of the gorilla sculptures will go up for auction this autumn, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to support Tusk’s conservation projects.

The street show follows previous art installations for the Tusk Rhino Trail in 2018 and the Tusk Lion Trail in 2021.

The charity Tusk works to drive African-driven conservation.

Since its formation, the charity has supported a range of conservation projects across more than 20 countries, increasing protection for more than 40 different threatened species.

Tusk also aims to reduce poverty through sustainable development and promoting education in rural communities living alongside wildlife.