The world is facing a conservation crisis driven by habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Rangers are risking their lives trying to defend our last wild places against criminal syndicates. The population of African rhinos is declining drastically, and it is becoming increasingly possible that we may lose the species before long.

A New Paradigm is an impressive and intentionally confronting artwork made from three real white rhinoceros skulls. These iconic animals have fallen victim to the growing poaching atrocities carried out across Africa today. Rhino horn has become one of the most expensive commodities in the world, valued by weight above diamonds and gold. It is sought after as both a status symbol and a supposed healing agent, mainly in China and Vietnam.

Vincent Mock uses contemporary art as a medium to raise awareness and communicate the poaching story, while also generating direct support for conservation. The skulls originate from Marakele Park, South Africa, where the artist previously worked managing a rhino breeding area. After witnessing the reality of poaching firsthand, he became determined to tell an activist conservation story through his work.

It took over three years and a dedicated legal team to gain permission from both the South African and Dutch governments (CITES) for this extensive and ongoing project.

There are two variations of the work. One variation (a triptych) consists of real white rhino skulls covered in gold leaf and engraved by Chinese master calligrapher Zhou Le Sheng (1959) with an ancient text from the Tao Te Ching, originally written by Lao Tzu. The text expresses the essence of nature conservation, even though it was written more than two thousand years ago, when humans lived in far greater balance with their environment. The horns are made from semi-transparent cast glass, as if they are vanishing.

The second variation consists of a limited edition of 12 bronze sculptures cast from one of the original skulls. These bronzes are also engraved with Lao Tzu’s words. While the real skulls can legally never be sold, they can be rented for exhibition, with all proceeds supporting the Hooked on Life foundation. The bronze edition is available for purchase, and 100% of the profits generated go directly to the foundation, supporting awareness, rhino conservation, and reintroduction programs.