Barbary
Sponsor: Regus Windsor • Artist: Eleanor McColl
About the lion Barbary is inspired by Windsor, featuring iconic landmarks from around the town, including of course the Castle, the crooked house, the bridge and Queen Victoria herself. He is named Barbary after Barbary lions (Panthera leo leo), which were once native to North Africa, but are now extinct in the wild. The last recorded Barbary lion was shot in Morocco in 1942. The only Barbary lions left in the world are now found in zoos and are part of a global and collaborative breeding programme to ensure their future survival. Barbary lions are recorded throughout history. The Romans used Barbary lions in the Colosseum to battle with gladiators. Thousands of these big cats were killed during the reign of Caesar. Barbary lions were also kept in the menagerie at the Tower of London and were offered as gifts to royal families of Morocco and Ethiopia. It is believed that Barbary lions today are directly descended from these ‘royal lions’.
About the sponsor IWG is leading the workspace revolution. Our companies help more than 2.5 million people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing a choice of professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces, communities and services. Our customers are start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and large multinationals, with unique goals and aspirations. They want a choice of workspaces and communities to match their needs. Through our companies we provide that choice.
About the artist Eleanor is a multi-disciplinary artist living in Hong Kong. A few years ago she was asked to paint a cow for the Film Aid Asia charity and since then she has painted a pig, a car and a Chinese stool! Eleanor says "I love the chance to work on a different surface and the design challenge that this brings. Typically my work is rooted in place with a focus on the urban environment, which is usually Hong Kong focused. I have loved using a different city as my inspiration and focus. My Lion is inspired by Windsor, featuring iconic landmarks from around the town, including of course the Castle, the crooked house, the bridge and Queen Victoria herself.
Where? Outside Regus Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1TX. The Regus building is opposite the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel on the approach to Windsor Bridge. Viewing hours 24/7.