Lynda Harrison

Dandelion Lynda Harrison

By using the five South African Rand currency banknotes, with Nelson Mandela, 'Madiba', on one side, and one of the 'Big Five' wildlife animals on the other, this poetic narrative brings to life each animal. Dandelion highlights the beauty and magnificence of each one, as well as the tragedies of poaching, hunting, and habitat loss that they face today.
"Yes, through our banknotes I will describe,
Our Madiba on one side, the other, our 'Five'."

"So sad then you're orphaned and left all alone,
No one to say: 'My, but how you have grown!'
The mother you had was all you had known.
They killed her. They killed her just for her horn."

"Oh African Elephant, how we adore you,
You are so special, our tremendous number 'Two',
But what is it that you see from your field of view?
Is it the sunset with rich reds and yellows of hue?
Or is it those who take your tusks and then say adieu?"