Rebound

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Sculpture by

Ellen Woodbury

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Translucent Blue Alabaster on Walnut

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14 x 11 x 5 inches

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Completed June, 2010

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This sculpture is a celebration of the intelligence and tenacity of the wolf.

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Last year my friend, Kanae, suggested I create a sculpture of a wolf. I began my research knowing very little about wolves, and have learned much about their historic persecution, re-introduction into Yellowstone National Park, their pack hierarchy, and their disposition as social creatures. Several people have compared wolves to people as apex predators with strong community bonds, and give this as a reason for the competition and hatred of some people for all wolves in general.

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I believe wolves are a necessary ingredient to a stable ecosystem, keeping deer and elk populations down to insure against over-grazing. All the plant and animal species in an ecosystem are inter-connected, and the wolf plays a most significant role in maintaining the balance in a healthy environment.

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Wolves have extended their range in the west outside the boundaries of protected areas. People are once again shooting them on sight, blaming them for livestock losses which cannot be proven to be the fault of wolves. I am hoping people can overcome their hatred, adjust their ranching practices to incorporate a greater human presence on their rangeland thus discouraging wolves from being near livstock. We need to learn how to share the planet with all living creatures now, before we destroy it.

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All text and images copyright 2010 by Ellen Woodbury.

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Photo by Mel Schockner.