Hancock Exhibition finalises children’s drawing collection in COVID-delayed event

The Hancock Exhibition is set to feature at Newcastle University’s Great North Museum after numerous delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The now completed exhibition of drawings from nearly 100 Malaysian children can now be seen at the venue.

100 drawings from the Malaysian children of an iconic orangutan Guyana join the 600 drawings made by children from the North East, USA, Kenya and Guyana, which have been on display since 2021.

To celebrate the exhibition’s completion, artist Jane Lee McCracken of Where Did All the Animals Go? Delivered a wildlife drawing workshop at the museum.

McCracken said: “I am over-joyed to complete the exhibition and install the astonishing drawings by Malaysian children.

“It has been a tremendously inspirational and moving journey to completion and I’m so proud of all the children who participated in my workshops and created amazing art to help raise awareness of vulnerable wildlife.

“Through drawing, education, and the opportunity of self-expression, I hope to generate individual compassion towards animals and the environment while encouraging collective responsibility to further cherish and conserve the planet’s remaining wildlife for future generations: if we care we want to conserve.”

Dr Kate Holden, Learning Officer at the Great North Museum, said: “We are delighted to showcase the work of children from North East England and around the world in our Living Planet gallery.

“Their reflection on the state of nature highlights the need to act now to secure the future of the planet they are inheriting.”