Palm Oil Kills
Palm Oil Kills
By artist: Dianne Conroy
Wood, wool, wire. 27 x 12 x 24 cm
Orangutans are intelligent, gentle beings whose rainforest homes are disappearing at an alarming rate. Rather than capturing a dramatic moment, this sculpture invites a quiet connection as the direct gaze, relaxed pose and raised hand encourage the viewer to pause and consider the individual behind the species in a moment of shared silent witness. This piece is both a celebration of the remarkable beauty of the orangutan and a reminder that these extraordinary animals deserve a future where they can continue to thrive in the forests they call home. This needle-felted orangutan is sculpted entirely from wool using thousands of precise needle strokes to create form, expression and character. Every wrinkle, fold and tuft of fur has been carefully built by hand, transforming loose fibres into a lifelike portrait of one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Working with natural wool allows the sculpture to echo the warmth and softness of its living subject while celebrating the versatility of fibre as a fine art medium. Through needle felting, simple fibres become a story of patience, craftsmanship and respect for wildlife.
About the artist.
Di Conroy is an award-winning fibre artist specialising in needle felting whose work bridges the world of traditional craft and contemporary fibre art. Di’s work focusses on themes of the natural world and life-like creations of creatures great and small. Di is the founder of Wild Woolly, a boutique business dedicated to the artistry of needle felting and offering workshops, needle felting supplies, kits and tutorials both online and from Di’s studio based in South East Queensland. Di's goal is to introduce as many people as possible to this wonderful craft. She prefers working with corriedale, merinos, and border leicester but uses lots of other fibres to get texture, shine, curly and depth, including fibres from mulberry, tussah, and sari silk, alpaca, camel fur and dogs fur.
Collection or delivery.
This item is part of the Not My Monkey Art Exhibition, on display at Plant Empire from 25 July - 16 August 2026. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 16 August: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.