Perhaps the only excuse for drawing an animal in an enclosure is if the animal gives permission and if the prison is mutual. You cannot ask permission in words, but if you take out your sketchbook and do nothing, say nothing for a long time and then – very still, start drawing – an animal may come closer to enquire what you are doing, or whether the sketchbook can be eaten. If the sketchbook is not offered as food, then a sort of pact is formed and you can each get on with the job of being animals. Some of these drawings were made as research into how we may design better alternatives to psychiatric wards – places we would choose to go when life is hard.

Animals Tamara has drawn: Malaysian Tapir, Francois Langur Monkey, Slow Loris, Otters, Snow Leopard, Lion, Bear, Giraffe, Okapi


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