Wildlife in perspective: Stunning artworks put threatened species in the spotlight

Sure the Instagram photo-pool is overcrowded with selfies and snapshots of sushi (#sushi #yum #delish #amazeballs), but hidden amongst it all are some shining gems. Bryan Holland's Instagram profile is one of those gems. Having worked professionally as an artist, a graphic artist and a college professor, Holland has produced a wealth of stunning artworks, many of which aim to expose the threats facing the world's wildlife.

"I don’t really think of myself as a wildlife artist, that is, someone who paints animals in a natural, wild setting," Holland explains. "Rather, the animals I paint are typically removed from their natural environment and juxtaposed against collage material, text, pattern and at times left partially painted, allowing paint drips to occur... By removing the animal from its natural setting, I’m looking to create a kind of tension, bring more focus to the animal itself, and juxtapose an illusionistic painting style against elements that are seen as flat."

An avid animal lover, Holland's concern over threats like climate change, habitat loss and poaching come across strongly in his work. "Some [artworks] take a short time to complete, others maybe six months or more, while waiting for the right idea and motivation. Sometimes, I’ll have a specific idea for a painting, such as 'Harbinger', which is the painting of the rhino with the glass horn. I had the idea of emphasising the fragile existence of rhino populations due to poaching, where the rhinos are killed for their horns."

Here's a selection of Holland's work for your viewing pleasure. For more visit his website or connect with him on Instagram.