Celebrity elephants - Jumbo collection set for July charity auction at Sotheby’s

Published: 7 May, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

Is the West End’s latest public art stunt a white elephant in more ways than one?
Around 250 brightly painted life-sized model elephants have been transplanted to sites across central London as part of an outdoor art event to raise money for a charity set up to protect the animals.
The glass fibre models have been painted by artists and celebrities including Sir Paul Smith, Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Quinn and can be seen at various locations including Hyde Park and Carnaby Street.
They will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in July, with the target of raising £2million for the Elephant Family Charity.
• Pictured above: part of the herd in Green Park