Chris Gabriel:
Artist Bio: As a young man, Chris Gabriel found an interest in animal after spending time at the Charlotte Nature Museum (currently Discovery Place Nature) in Charlotte, NC. He volunteered many hours with animals, learning about the and studying them, and soon began sculpting miniatures as a summer job in high school, finding it to be his calling. Chris has his BA in Fine Arts from UNC Asheville, with a minor in Zoology. Later he earned his Master in Fine Arts from Eastern Carolina University in 1993. Aside from his own personal sculpting and commissions, Chris works as model designer for an engineering company in Charlotte.
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- Little Sea Dog (2015) Chris Gabriel Bronze This sculpture was made possible through a gift to the NC Zoo Society from Bob and Bonnie Meeker
- Polar Bear (2013) Chris Gabriel Bronze This sculpture was made possible through a gift to the NC Zoo Society in memory of Thomas W. Young by his loving wife, Frances.
- Nature’s Recyclers (2007) Chris Gabriel Bronze Sponsored by Bob and Bonnie Meeker
The intent of this sculpture is to pay homage to one of nature’s true recyclers is a key cog in the cycles of life. Dung beetles recycle the waste that larger grassland animals leave behind. Some species roll animal dung into balls that are placed into burrows as food for larvae. They recycle bovine waste, burying nearly half a ton of waste per year produced by the dense herds of large animals roaming the African savannas. This scavenging activity adds nutrients to the soil and helps reduce the presence of other insects. The Dung Beetle is found in South, Central and North America, as well as in Africa. - Ant Bear (2007) Chris Gabriel Bronze Sponsored by Bob and Bonnie Meeker
Sometimes called the “Ant Bear”, know also in Swahili as muhanga (earth pig) because of it stout, pig-like body, the African aardvark has been feeding upon ants and termites for over 35 million years. A keen sense of smell locates ground-dwelling insects, while powerful claws dig into ant and termite mounds. Long snouts and sticky tongues allow aardvarks to collect food from deep in the ground. Abandoned aardvark dens provide shelter for other grassland animals. The artist captured the gesture and the strength of the aardvark in this sculpture.
Courtesy of:
Artist photo and info: Artist provided profile
Zoo and animal photos and info: Chris Gabriel, The North Carolina Zoo, Tamara Hill
