Tembo Derrick Stephan Hudson

Derrick Stephan Hudson
Tembo, 2001
Bronze, 305 x 825 x 310 centimetres

Tembo, a family of elephants, has been christened with the Swahili word for African elephant. The three elephants, cast at MST Bronze in Toronto, reflect the strength and loyalty of a mother for her children. The massive mother elephant stands solidly guarding her youngsters, providing protection and care. Weighing almost as much as 80 people or six automobiles, this enormous mother elephant is one of the largest bronze elephants in the world. The triangular shaped ears, sometimes said to resemble the continent of Africa, help to distinguish the subject as an African elephant. In reality, however, the ears of an elephant are like fingerprints - they are different each time and can even be used by scientists for identification.