Readytex Art Gallery and Stichting Dierenbescherming Suriname launch a new Art for Animals T-shirt on Sunday, 4 October, World Animal Day. The shirt features a jaguar design by artist Dhiradj Ramsamoedj and will be presented during the monthly Book Market at the Dierenasiel premises. Sales support the work of the animal protection organisation.
The design shows a jaguar lying on a tree trunk and looking directly at the viewer. Ramsamoedj aims to draw attention to both the beauty and vulnerability of the animal. According to the initiators, deforestation, gold mining and logging are putting pressure on the jaguar’s habitat. Human encroachment into that area can lead to conflicts between humans and animals. Hunting is also cited as a threat.
Return of the T-shirt line
With the launch, Readytex Art Gallery and Stichting Dierenbescherming Suriname resume their joint T-shirt initiative. From 2013 through 2020, they released twenty different shirts. Nine of these featured a unique design by artists affiliated with the gallery.
The shirts were issued in limited editions. According to the organisers, especially the versions with artists’ designs became collectors’ items. Following an interruption around the coronavirus period, a bag line was introduced in 2024 under the same concept. Continued demand for the T-shirts prompted the release of another shirt.
Support for animal welfare
Proceeds from sales benefit Stichting Dierenbescherming Suriname. For more than 25 years, the foundation has been committed to animal welfare, including by managing the Dierenasiel, providing information and carrying out several sterilisation projects each year.
According to the foundation, it also played a leading role in the establishment of the 2017 Wet Dierenwelzijn. It is now committed to ensuring its enforcement by the competent authorities.
Sales begin on Sunday, 4 October at 9 a.m. during the Book Market at the Dierenasiel, located at Kanangalaan 32. The market runs until 1 p.m. After the launch, the shirts will be available at Readytex at Maagdenstraat 44–48 in Paramaribo. They will also be offered during the Book Market at the Dierenasiel, which takes place every first Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
