Gorilla art is returning to Norwich’s Castle Mall

By emma knights
Saturday, March 9, 2013
6:30 AM

Gorilla art has returned to a city shopping centre as artists move in once more to work on an African-inspired trail that will decorate Norwich this summer.

Artists painting sculptures of apes for the GoGoGorillas! trail was a familiar sight to Castle Mall shoppers earlier this year, and now a new workshop has been set up in the mall where people can watch the colourful gorillas come to life.

Once finished they will be part of a city-wide art exhibition being organised by children’s charity Break and Wild in Art to raise funds and awareness for Break and the Born Free Foundation.

The first artist to move into the new workshop opposite the Norwich City Football Club shop was Hannah Nelson, from Wells, who is decorating a gorilla sponsored by Gasway. Her design – called Catch Me While You Can – is a reference to the threat of extinction faced by many species and will see the gorilla covered in an array of beautiful lantern flies.

She said: “Everyone is familiar with moths and butterflies but lantern flies are lesser known so I thought it would be nice to give them some exposure. They are just another one of the amazing creatures on this planet .”

James Hick and Lauren Betts, from Gasway, visited the workshop yesterday and were delighted with how their gorilla was taking shape.

Mr Hick said: “Break is Gasway’s charity of the year, and we picked Hannah’s design because Gasway has started moving into the renewables market so it fits with the environmental theme. It is brilliant seeing Hannah’s design come to life.”

So far 38 gorillas have been sponsored by organisations. Break hopes to have 53 sculptures in the trail – one more sculpture than Norwich’s elephant trail had a couple of years ago.

To sponsor a gorilla contact Martin Green on 01603 670107 or email martin.g@break-charity.org

Visit www.gogogorillas.co.uk