The Weight of White – Limited Edition Elephant Artwork on Banana Paper | Wildlife Conservation Art | Ethical Home Decor

Disclaimer:
This artwork is an original creation by Harry Johansing and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Peter Beard, the Peter Beard Estate, or the Peter Beard Studio. While the work is inspired by Peter Beard’s artistic style, it should not be mistaken for his original works or for work authorized by his Estate or Studio.

The Weight of White is a mixed-media collage created on banana paper with paint and India ink. At its center, a lone elephant—majestic, dignified, and resolutely present—emerges from a stark black-and-white landscape. Captured by the artist in South Africa in 2019, this photograph anchors the composition as both memorial and indictment.
Encircling the elephant, a border of historical images documents the ivory trade: tusks transformed into ornaments, piano keys, religious icons, and status symbols. Arranged like an unsettling archive, these smaller photographs lay bare the cultural and economic forces that have driven the species toward the brink of extinction. Vivid red and yellow borders mark this as both a crime scene and a site of remembrance.
At once beautiful and unsettling, The Weight of White enriches the conversation around colonial exploitation, cultural complicity, and ecological loss. It invites viewers to consider how desire, beauty, and power have shaped the fate of this species—and our own role in what comes next. Ultimately, it offers space to reflect on what we choose to remember and what we hope to protect.
This limited edition print is a meaningful addition to any fine art collection, ethical home decor, or conservation-focused space.

Title:
The Weight of White – South Africa Collage – Limited Edition 2020

Limited Edition Details:
Edition Size: 111 prints
Paper: Fine art photographic paper, acid-free archival quality
Ink: Archival pigment ink
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist
Certificate: Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
Finish: Un-matted and unframed

Available Sizes:
14 x 11 in. – 1/4 inch border
17 x 13 in. – 1/4 inch Border
24 x 19 in. – 1/4 inch Border
30 x 23 in. – Borderless
Please select your preferred size from the drop-down menu.

Shipping & Processing:
Ships worldwide from California within 3–7 business days
Packaged with care to ensure safe delivery
Due to monitor differences, actual colors may vary slightly

About Edition Pricing
“The Weight of White” is part of a strictly limited edition of 111 total prints across all sizes. Every work is created using museum-quality materials, including archival pigment inks and acid-free fine art photographic paper, to ensure longevity and preserve its integrity over time. As the edition progresses, pricing may be reviewed to reflect availability and sustained collector interest. This approach respects the value of each collector’s investment while maintaining the integrity of limited-edition fine art. If you have any questions about edition details, current availability, or pricing, I am always happy to help.

About the Artist:

I began incorporating photographs into my work when I founded Costa Rica Natural Paper Co. in 1992, blending my love of photography with a passion for sustainable materials. Over the years, my process evolved into a kind of diaristic manifesto—a collection of visual essays layered with intuition, philosophy, travel, and current events.
The thrill of scavenging for paper scraps and repurposing them into my own canvas grew into an expedition of creativity. Each collage transforms the mundane into something extraordinary, capturing the overlooked beauty and the urgency of remembrance.

Processed in my studio in California, each work embodies decades of dedication to craft, conservation, and visual storytelling.

See more of my work: www.harryjohansing.com

All photographs and prints are copyrighted © Harry Johansing. Purchase does not transfer copyright or reproduction rights.