Animal Works is led by two women, artist Nafisa Naomi and zoologist/author Tammie Matson. This Australian not-for-profit organisation was developed in 2009 to bring attention to the plight of species in a world with evermore diminishing wildlife habitat, using elephants as a flagship species. Today, the organisation has grown with the help of many generous supporters and advisors, from every walk of life, a few of whom are mentioned below. No one at Animal Works takes a salary, so that the maximum benefits can be provided where they are most needed. None of our work would be possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers and for this we are enormously grateful. We especially thank graphic artist Meli Souter, who manages the elephant adoption program and Kathrin Longhurst, who designed the website and helps us maintain it!
Nafisa Naomi
Animal Works Director & Co-founder
From the time Nafi sa began her art practice in 2000, she has been totally committed to creating works that celebrate the beauty of our fragile world. Nafisa was born in Mumbai, India, educated in Hong Kong and Sydney and currently works from a studio set amongst the beauty of natural bushland with Sydney Harbour as a backdrop. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree (National Art School, Sydney), is a fellow of the Royal Art Society of NSW and is the founder and president of Portrait Artists Australia. She has won over 50 awards and commendations for her work, including the gold medal for painting in the Florence Biennale with her work ‘Regeneration’, the prestigious Black Swan – City of Perth Prize for Portraiture (2008) and the prestigious Packers’ Prize as part of the Archibald for her portrait of Glenn A. Baker.
“Ultimately I want my work to be viewed for what I created them to say- we all have to learn to share and value each other as we do have to care for the other species on our planet.”
Dr Tammie Matson
Animal Works Director & Co-founder
Dr Tammie Matson is an Australian zoologist and author who specialises in human-wildlife conflict. She spent over a decade working on threatened species in southern Africa and has advised on human-elephant conflict mitigation in Africa and India. She led WWF Australia’s national species program in 2007 and 2008 and helped develop flagship species projects on animals such as the snubfin dolphin and Gouldian finch. Tammie has two published books, “Dry Water – Diving headfirst into Africa”, the story of how she came to be a wildlife researcher in Africa, and “Elephant Dance – a story of love and war in the elephant kingdom”, based on her work on human-elephant conflict in Africa and India. Tammie is working with Animal Media Australia on the documentary “Elephant Wars” and is an official In Style magazine Woman of Style (June 2010 edition).
“The more I work with elephants the more respect I have for them. They can be deadly and very scary at times, but at others, show compassion and grief and loyal bonds. Elephants are a lot like us in so many ways, but above all, I think they show us the best side of ourselves.”
Our Supporters and Advisors
Dr. Stephen Van Mil
Dr Stephen Van Mil founded Animal Media Australia after 20 years experience in television, print and film. In conjunction with Fork Films, the award winning ‘The Last Trimate’ was a world released documentary narrated by Mel Gibson and featuring the amazing life-work of Birute Mary Galdikas and orangutans in Indonesia. He is the producer of ‘Elephant Wars’, a journey into the conflict zones between people and elephants in Asia and Africa. A dedicated animal lover and a conservationist, Stephen’s passion is all aspects of media involving the wonderful creatures of the world. He is a co-founder of Animal Works.
Vivek Menon
Vivek is the founder and director of the Wildlife Trust of India. With many years of experience in wildlife conservation in India, Vivek is an authority on the subject and a key scientific advisor to the team at Animal Works.
Andy Ridley
Andy is the Executive Director of Earth Hour global. He has been running what has become the world’s largest environmental social movement in history since co-founding Earth Hour in 2007. Formerly Communications Director for WWF Australia, Andy is a specialist in communicating conservation messages to a wide mainstream audience.
Kamahl
One of the most unique voices ever to be produced in Australia, Kamahl is not only a national treasure but also an avid elephant lover and an ambassador for Animal Works.
Glenn A. Baker
Three-time holder of the BBC’s Rock Brain of the Universe title, Glenn A. Baker is renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of rock music. He has written books and magazine articles on the topic, interviewed celebrities, managed bands and promoted tours of international rock stars. He is also a widely read, award-winning travel writer.
Soumen Dey
WWF India conservationist Soumen Dey, a member of the North Bank Landscape Conservation Programme team, is leading the capacity development programs for communities to tide over the problem of human-elephant conflict in the north-east Indian state of Assam. He has over fifteen years experience in field-based conservation in Eastern Himalaya & NE India and is a passionate believer in community-based conservation.
