White Rhino (Birtha)

Celebrated local artist Tom Benner (Ron Benner’s older brother – see his work As the Crow Flies above), has long held a passionate interest in the white rhino, and in educating people about this species’ perilous decline.

Tom envisioned this artwork in a dream and was thus compelled to manifest his vision, which he nicknamed Birtha due to the process of it being “birthed” through his dreams. He chose to construct it with aluminum and rivets because it enabled him to make a life size sculpture by hand in his studio. The form was created piece by piece, folding and riveting each strip, over a 5-month period.

The artwork was subsequently purchased by a Women’s volunteer group called the International Services of London who donated Birtha to the Museum in 1987.

Here is a rather poignant story – several years ago, Birtha was entrenched in an initiation ritual wherein fraternity members were required to rip the horn off of the sculpture and steal it. Tom said that, during this time he had to replace Birtha’s horn six times. Finally, on one fateful evening, several students were caught on camera ripping off the horn. The students subsequently apologized and secretly dropped the damaged horn off at a location where Tom could retrieve it. That was the end of that until 2017, when two men were caught on camera plunging a steel bar into the body of the sculpture and into one of its legs. Tom said “that was a difficult and time-consuming repair. Every time that it happened, I was reminded of the heartbreaking cruelty, disregard, and lack of connection that some humans have to our environment. However, I stay hopeful that this will change.” You will be happy to know that Birtha has not suffered any more damage since.