John Gracious
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
John Gracious is a self-trained emerging artist, that for the past 3-4 years has been dedicating his time to honing his technical skills and exploring his style. Recently, he completed a major self-directed work titled "project 364" in which he created a self-portrait everyday for a year. It focused on exploring the commitment and discipline we have on representing ourselves, and the symbolic letting go of that self through an audience-artist performance which involved the audience burning all the self-portraits, while John created the final, 365th self-portrait, from the ashes.
ARTIST'S REASON FOR PARTICIPATING
John Gracious has an affinity for all animals that live on this beautiful and fragile planet, believing there's a place for all creatures to survive and thrive on Earth. He is concerned about the plight of all animals due to the encroachment of civilisation on their habitat, and is excited to put his creative skills to as worthwhile cause as Project Orangutan. The Orangutan's, in particular, remind him of the wisdom of nature shining through their brilliant brown eyes.
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Here's a link to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/graciousartist
Here's a link to my Tumblr page: http://graciousartist.tumblr.com/
Here's a link to my Twitter page: https://twitter.com/GraciousArt
NICKY
From City Streets to Sisterhood
Nicky was just a young orangutan when she was rescued by International Animal Rescue (IAR) in April 2009. A local family had bought her, but when she grew too large to control, they left her to roam freely around their property in the city—an environment far removed from the forest she was born for.
Once at IAR’s centre in West Kalimantan, Nicky began her long journey back to being an orangutan. She was given enrichment, a healthy diet, and—most importantly—companionship.
She quickly bonded with Mona, sharing an enclosure and playing hide-and-seek with sacks, her favorite enrichment toy. Nicky also spent hours interacting with Jojo and Jingo, her neighbors, reaching through the bars to share branches and playful touches.
When Huta, a newly rescued orangutan, joined her and Mona, Nicky took on the dominant role. She could be a bit bossy, occasionally taking Huta’s food or enrichment, but her presence was never cruel—just spirited. The keepers ensured all three girls had enough to share, and their sisterhood blossomed.
Later, Nicky was moved to the new centre for medical treatment and spent time in quarantine. Her return to the socialisation cage was a joyous moment: reunited with Mely, Mona, and Huta, they greeted each other with hugs and laughter.
Today, Nicky thrives in a large, enriching environment—playful, social, and surrounded by the sisterhood she needed all along. Her story is a shining reminder that even city-born trauma can lead to forest-bound healing.
