Tender Armour explores vulnerability and protection through The Pink Bear. Created for Elephant Family’s Big Egg Hunt 2025, the Sculpture was first shown at Battersea Power Station before being presented at Kew Gardens, where it was viewed by Their Majesties The King and Queen.
The familiar pink fur of The Pink Bear covers the egg form, carrying a material associated with the original Performance costume into Sculpture. The title brings vulnerability and protection together. Armour usually suggests hardness and defence, while here protection is expressed through softness and care. The fragility of the egg adds another layer to that relationship.
The work was created for Elephant Family’s Big Egg Hunt 2025, a London-wide Public Art campaign featuring 123 artist-designed eggs across more than 30 locations. Tender Armour was shown at Battersea Power Station as part of the citywide trail, helping raise awareness and funds for Elephant Family’s conservation work across Asia.
The campaign culminated at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with Wonders of the Wild, a major fundraising evening bringing together art and conservation. A smaller selection of works from the wider trail was presented at Kew, with Tender Armour among them. The event was attended by Their Majesties The King and Queen, Joint Royal Presidents of Elephant Family, who viewed the Sculpture during their visit.
“The environment and conservation mean so much to me personally, and I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to a project that uses the power of art to inspire awareness and action. It was a profound moment to stand among so many incredible artists and supporters. Having the piece viewed by Their Majesties was something I’ll never forget.”
LUAP
Later that evening, Tender Armour was among a limited selection of works chosen for the live auction at Kew. The event, supported by Chopard, raised funds for Elephant Family’s conservation programmes, while the wider Big Egg Hunt campaign raised more than £720,000.
“Whatever we take and exploit from nature, we need to give something back in return.” King Charles III
