Students from St Mary DSG Kloof have created an upcycled rhino that’s pretty in plastic and are proud to be a part of an important initiative!
Kloof, South Africa (26 September 2024) — From a humble wire-frame structure to sitting pretty in plastic, Mary the Rhino artwork is an upcycled marvel!
While much of the St Mary DSG creation may consist of plastic, her message is anything but shallow. Mary is one of many rhinos—that were wire-framed ideas in waiting—to have been transformed by students and staff creatively. This, in an effort to ‘increase the rhino population’ in South Africa and ultimately raise awareness for rhino-focused initiatives around the world.
Incited by Project Rhino—a KZN-based conservation organisation that looks out for our rhino populations as well as their extended wildlife communities—the wire-frame rhino creation initiative and competition has been a big part of 2024 for schools across the province.
Under the theme ‘Future Rhino’, participating schools were given wireframes to transform to the tune of their own creativity. They were tasked to use recycled materials in both an artistic and practical sense; as decor and armour to withstand weather conditions.
Amid all the fun that came with the creation process, the students got to experience the magic of upcycling, all while playing their part in a bigger mosaic of efforts for rhino conservation awareness.
“Our girls sourced recycled materials and focused on adhering to the theme while maximising visual impact,” shared St Mary’s DSG of their creation. “It only seemed fitting that we call our rhino—Mary!”.
Mary adorns daisies and other bottle-top-inspired flowers, as well as recycled plastic petals, netting and what appears to be a tiny bird friend who was once food packaging.
The proud rhino now joins the crash of other created rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal, with the competition set to end on 27 September.
The school adds that Mary will also auctioned off at a fundraiser later on in the year!
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