Celebrating and
conserving natural
beauty
Contributing towards its care.
Each artwork, each story, each animal is unique.
Sold in aid of conservation.
What would the beauty of the earth be
without its animals?
What would the beauty of the earth be without its animals?
Art for Wild is an art project that celebrates Africa’s spectacular wildlife, while contributing towards its conservation. Each unique artwork documents an individual animal’s story of survival and highlights the immeasurable value of the continent’s creatures and our responsibility towards their care.
Mireille Ockenfels, a German-born and qualified wildlife artist and photographer has found her muse amongst the majestic animals of Africa. While on a trip to a Namibian wildlife sanctuary, she met an extraordinary animal, Samira, who left a lasting impression on her – and inspired a fresh creative direction into the African bushland and savannah. The journey she embarked on was one of discovering remarkable animals and their stories, and capturing their heartbeat in close-up photographs.
Mireille partners with select wildlife organisations and safari lodges in a shared passion for nature conservation, documenting their work through the lives of the animals in their care. The first of these was Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. They offer a one-of-a-kind conservation and exclusive ecotourism approach, with luxury, sustainable ecolodges, benefitting the animals and the local people in beautiful coexistence.
Through her work, Mireille offers exclusive and unique artworks, enchanting and worthy additions to collections, bringing the gracious presence and courageous stories of these animals into homes and hearts. All proceeds from the sales of artworks go to the care and conservation of the animals documented.
Restoring Joy:
Orphan elephants playfully enjoy their mud bath.
A keeper and elephant enjoy bath time.
Lempaute and Sitiin.
Beautiful
co-existence.
The story behind the art: The origin
“On meeting Samira the wise, old cheetah – in the early morning sun, her eyes full of wildness – my life was changed. This was the intimate moment, the remarkable creature, that inspired the ArtforWild project.”
– Mireille Ockenfels, co-founder of ArtforWild
Samira remains a driving force behind Mireille’s passion for wildlife conservation, inspiring her to use her art to make a positive impact for animals like this extraordinary cheetah.
The story behind the art:
The animals documented
The collection of artworks Mireille has created highlight the uniqueness of each individual animal and their personal journeys, emphasising the animal’s essential nature and individual beauty, while also hinting at its vulnerability. These meticulous cut-outs intimately examine the finer intricacies, offering a privileged glimpse into their world.
Her images collectively form a long-term documentary of these unique personalities and their touching stories of survival, from rescue, into rehabilitation and finally to release into the wild herds found in their natural homes. Here they go on to have wild-born young, showing how vulnerable orphans, with the right intervention, can go on to significantly impact their species chances of survival.
The artworks she creates are original and one-of-a-kind, meticulously curated, tailored to each subject, and radiating their true essence.
A unique creative process
To capture these captivating images, Mireille spends lengthy periods in the bush observing the animal, tracking its movements, exploring its mystery, and documenting its powerful story. This extensive study is warranted by such subjects – and through it, produces a limited and exclusive body of work.
Leveraging her artistic background, Mireille has developed a perspective that reaches beyond just capturing the moment, and transforms them into exceptional artworks. Inspired by the intricate coexistence between animals and the local people, Mireille’s creative journey draws in the voices of those directly involved in the animals’ care, and incorporates local artistic processes. The result is sincere and intimate and authentic to the location, each of which has a distinct story to tell. These beautiful images all speak of a hopeful future and of Africa’s great natural heritage.
elephants and people.
Soulful connections.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
“My heart began to dance, struck by this opportunity, I immediately set about planning the trip. Then it was off to the wilds of Africa. The joy of meeting these adorable little souls, the privilege of being involved in helping save lives through my art.“
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is a unique and groundbreaking conservation initiative in Northern Kenya and is ArtforWild’s first project and partnership. The sanctuary is locally owned and run by the indigenous Samburu people, through the Sarara Foundation, and focuses on nurturing orphaned and abandoned elephant calves back to health and releasing them back into the wild herds adjoining Reteti.
To find out more about their amazing projects visit the Sarara Foundation and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary websites – www.sarara.com and www.reteti.org.
A hopeful future.
Orphans mothering orphans.
Sitiin is Reteti’s little matriarch. She was rescued after guarding her mother’s lifeless body high in the mountains. Through her courageous journey, she instinctively recognised Naisimari’s deepest needs and never leaves her side.
By purchasing a unique artwork, you will directly impact the animals documented, helping to rewrite their story and be a witness to their journey back to the wild.
The artworks
The ArtforWild project stands as a testament to the transformative power of art. Through Mireille’s breathtaking photography and artwork, ArtforWild raises awareness and support for the preservation of wildlife and their habitats.
The recent series of photographs taken at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in February 2023 – showcased on this website – highlights remarkable elephant survivors, each with a unique and tragic past, as they gather for their soothing mud bath, after their daily adventures into the wilderness. These glimpses of their daily routines, and relationships, show the power of unity in the collective, as they are prepared for their lives in the wild. Leading the group is Sitiin, a majestic orphan-matriarch who fearlessly safeguards the others.
Artist statement
“It’s about matriarchs, friendship, coexistence, it’s about orphans growing up under a mother’s care. They have inspired my mission to make the world a better place for wildlife.“
Help these animals in their courageous journey to recovery by purchasing a unique artwork that will directly impact the animals documented. The story doesn’t end once the artwork is displayed in your home. Your investment will shine into the future through the conservation work that it supports.
Those who look animals in the eyes feel the difference they can make in the world.
For inquiries regarding available artworks, or if you would like to commission your own artwork, please contact
mireille@artforwild.net
Yours in commitment to conservation, Mireille
