Robin Loxley: Sheffield's 'Banksy' strikes again with excellent new elephant artwork in city
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Located on the side of an abandoned building in Upper Allen Street in Netherthorpe, Robin Loxley’s brand new artwork shows a baby elephant and a mother elephant, the latter of whom’s trunk has been created using a chimney that was already in place.
The artist said he was inspired to create the street art after learning that Nellie the Elephant, made famous in a children’s song from the 1950s, left the circus because she had a baby. Robin Loxley said he wanted to recreate her ‘packing her trunk and saying good by to the circus’.
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Hide AdThe elephants are also a tribute to Sheffield’s Lizzie the elephant, who was put to work during World War One carting machinery, scrap metal and munitions around the city, a role which would have previously required at least three horses.
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Robin Loxley said: “Art is in the eye of the beholder. But I think my people will love Nellie and her yet unnamed baby elephant.
“The use of the chimney as a creative touch.
“I picked the elephant as a tribute to Sheffield's elephant Lizzie that was at Thomas Wards during WW1 helping out the war efforts. Nellie on the other hand is making her way to freedom.”
Robin Loxley has previously hit the headlines after giving away thousands of pounds in cash and gold, as well as pieces of his artwork, and the huge sculpture he created outside Kelham Island Museum.