Chicago, USA, April 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On April 3rd, 2018, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace, celebrated her 84th birthday by unveiling a narrative monument-sized bronze sculpture depicting young Jane Goodall and chimpanzee David Greybeard, titled ‘The Red Palm Nut’, created by Chicago-based artist Marla Friedman at the Field Museum. Dr. Goodall was present for the sculpture unveiling along with nearly one thousand guests. The breathtaking monument will remain on display at the Field Museum's Stanley Hall.
As a twenty six year-old, Dr. Goodall famously went into the forests of Tanzania with only a notebook, used binoculars and a passion for learning about wildlife. The sculpture ‘The Red Palm Nut’ portrays the moment when in 1960, Jane Goodall extended her hand to offer chimpanzee David Greybeard, so named by Goodall, a red palm nut. David Greybeard refused the palm nut, but gently held onto Goodall's hand, signaling his understanding and acceptance. David Greybeard was the first wild chimpanzee to trust Jane Goodall and in this moment, with his acceptance, the world of the chimpanzees of Gombe opened up to her.
Dr. Goodall’s resulting observations and findings revolutionized the scientific world, altering forever our understanding of humankind’s relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom. Goodall and Friedman hope the monument emphasizes our connection to, responsibility to protect, and need to continue scientific research on endangered wildlife, particularly the critically endangered chimpanzee. This vital work lives on today in the form of Dr. Goodall’s community-centered conservation non-profit organization, the Jane Goodall Institute.
Dr. Goodall has described the poignant, transformative story of ‘The Red Palm Nut’ in film and print for nearly six decades. Through a collaborative effort between Dr. Goodall and artist Marla Friedman, ‘The Red Palm Nut’ sculpture is the first work of art to depict Dr. Goodall's fondest memory of her time with Greybeard and the chimpanzees of Gombe. Dr. Goodall has inscribed her signature into the clay, cast in bronze. Of the sculpture Dr. Goodall states,
“In this sculpture, Marla Friedman has captured one of the most magical moments of my early time with the chimpanzees of Gombe - when David Greybeard refused my offering of a palm nut but then reached out with a reassuring touch. It is wonderful to have this commemorated in this beautiful sculpture.”
Friedman, renowned for her sensitive portraits of historic figures and self taught in the medium of sculpture, stated in her speech to a crowd of one thousand at the Field Museum's Stanley Hall prior to the unveiling,
“In my mind’s eye, this moment [between young Jane Goodall and chimpanzee David Greybeard] is on par with the Big Bang and is no less than one of the greatest moments in the history of the world. Where in one gesture the universe opened to unlimited possibility.”
Friedman’s portraiture is represented exclusively by Hollis Taggart Galleries in New York City.
For further information on Marla Friedman please contact Hollis Taggart, president of Hollis Taggart Galleries, 212-628-4000, info@hollistaggart.com and for further information on Dr. Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute, please contact Shawn Sweeney, director of Community Engagement for the Jane Goodall Institute, 703.682.9220, ssweeney@janegoodall.org.
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