WEAVING THEIR MAGIC

The rugs are inspired by centuries of tradition – and a London exhibition. A show at the Hayward Gallery, called The Tiger Rugs Of Tibet, in 1988 displayed 108 pieces of woven art (including this antique rug, right). Monks believed the spirits of the tigers depicted would protect them during meditation.

Working with specialists Christopher Farr and Artwise, the WWF have commissioned ten designs.

Raqib Shaw’s depiction of a boy with striped skin and a tiger’s head in a glade (far right, top) was a challenge. Shaw was raised in India and his favourite place was the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh – location of the tiger episode in Sir David Attenborough’s Dynasties. ‘This project is one very close to my heart,’ he says. His design required more than a million silk knots. ‘We only found one weaver who had the dexterity to hand-knot so finely,’ says specialist Matthew Bourne.

Artist Maya Lin’s rug (left) has lifesize tiger paw prints cut into it, which ‘evoke both the presence and the absence of the tiger in all its power and grace’. She adds, ‘This project is focused on hope and action. I hope people walk away feeling it’s within their power to make a change.’

Kiki Smith’s pouncing tiger (above) was inspired by Rousseau’s famous jungle paintings and was treated to give it an aged and faded look.

Celia Bailey, who helped stage the Sotheby’s show, says, ‘These are all museum pieces. They’re so difficult to make – the last one arrived just two days before we opened. It’s so labourintensive... but so worthwhile.’