Heike Lin Triebel – Wings of the Wild | Endangered Animals in Art

Wings of the Wild - Movement, Majesty, and the Silent Call of the Endangered

In Wings of the Wild, Heike Lin Triebel captures animals in moments of primal stillness or sudden movement: a wildcat descending a tree, a lion emerging from moonlight, a bull mid-charge in the arena, cranes and swans as emblems of grace and guardianship, a fiery red lizard she names the “Chili Lizard,” and the Red Kite, a majestic bird now on the brink of extinction.

These works are not mere representations, they are portraits of presence and fragility. Through expressive colors, layered textures, and emotionally charged surfaces, Triebel transforms each creature into a symbol of endurance, spirit, and vulnerability. Her paintings express a deep-rooted connection to wildlife and offer a silent yet powerful call for their protection.

Wings of the Wild is in direct dialogue with her award-winning Wild Horses series, honored in 2024 by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in London. Across both bodies of work, Triebel uses her visual language to advocate for endangered species and the vanishing ecosystems they inhabit - not through protest, but through presence. Her commitment is not political, but poetic: one brushstroke at a time, she honors what is close to disappearing.

Heike Lin Triebel, “SWANES & CRANES No. 1”, 2022, 30 × 30 cm, acrylic, sand, ash, and coffee on canvas. A vibrant painting of a swan in flight, blending strength and fragility.

“SWANES & CRANES No. 1”, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, coffee on canvas

Heike Lin Triebel, „SWANES & CRANES No. 1“, 2022, 30 × 30 cm, Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand. Ein leuchtend intensives Bild eines fliegenden Schwans – kraftvoll und verletzlich zugleich.

„SWANES & CRANES No. 1“, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche, Kaffee auf Leinwand

Painting by Heike Lin Triebel, “SWANES & CRANES No. 3”, 2022, 30 × 30 cm, acrylic, sand, ash, and coffee on canvas. A swan captured in flight, framed in deep pink and violet tones.

“SWANES & CRANES No. 3”, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, coffee on canvas

„SWANES & CRANES No. 3“, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand

“SWANES & CRANES No. 2”, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, and coffee on canvas

„SWANES & CRANES No. 2“, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand

“SWANES & CRANES No. 4”, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, and coffee on canvas

„SWANES & CRANES No. 4“, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand

Heike Lin Triebel, “NIGHTMARE”, 2021, 120 × 140 cm. A dynamic painting of a lion created with oxidized pigments and gold base, evoking a dreamlike night hunt.

Heike Lin Triebel realizes the work "Nightmare" in the wake of her series entitled "Wild Horses" and on what at the moment remains an isolated and unique case, the work entitled "Toro".
"Nightmare" could follow the same fate as "Toro" and remain the only work of Heike depicting a lion in her typical technique of "see-through". The colors are the same used in "Wild Horses": blue and aqua green dominate the canvas and make the atmosphere "aquatic". The impression is that of being under water and of glimpsing the king of the forest, a majestic lion. The lion has always been associated with strength and sovereignty. It's a symbol of power and
beauty and Heike Lin Triebel manages to do him justice, depicting him in motion, with the mane
floating in the air and legs ready to run.
From the sensory point of view this work offers a double perspective: on the one hand it transmits
a great strength and desire for revenge, on the other hand the work, as the title suggests, lets glimpse something mysterious and dramatic.
The gaze is determined and at times ominous, as if the lion loomed menacing in our dreams, as if he were both a friend and an enemy. Even the lights create a sort of ambivalent environment,
serene and relaxed but also dramatic.
An interesting detail that can be noticed only after a careful look is the tree, typical of the savannah,
placed in the background, on the right side of the canvas.
Above it there is a luminous circle, perhaps the moon, which places the setting at night, thus reconnecting to the sphere of dreams and nightmares.
HEIKE LIN TRIEBEL ART
Abstract&Figurative Art
Heike Lin Triebel realizes the work "Nightmare" in the wake of her series entitled "Wild Horses" and on what at the moment remains an isolated and unique case, the work entitled "Toro".
"Nightmare" could follow the same fate as "Toro" and remain the only work of Heike depicting a lion in her typical technique of "see-through". The colors are the same used in "Wild Horses": blue and aqua green dominate the canvas and make the atmosphere "aquatic". The impression is that of being under water and of glimpsing the king of the forest, a majestic lion. The lion has always been associated with strength and sovereignty. It's a symbol of power and
beauty and Heike Lin Triebel manages to do him justice, depicting him in motion, with the mane
floating in the air and legs ready to run.
From the sensory point of view this work offers a double perspective: on the one hand it transmits
a great strength and desire for revenge, on the other hand the work, as the title suggests, lets glimpse something mysterious and dramatic.
The gaze is determined and at times ominous, as if the lion loomed menacing in our dreams, as if he were both a friend and an enemy. Even the lights create a sort of ambivalent environment,
serene and relaxed but also dramatic.
An interesting detail that can be noticed only after a careful look is the tree, typical of the savannah,
placed in the background, on the right side of the canvas.
Above it there is a luminous circle, perhaps the moon, which places the setting at night, thus reconnecting to the sphere of dreams and nightmares.
HEIKE LIN TRIEBEL ART
Abstract&Figurative Art

“NIGHTMARE”, 2021 120 × 140 cm Acrylic, oxidation pigments, varnish, gauze, and gold base on canvas

Heike Lin Triebel, „NIGHTMARE“, 2021, 120 × 140 cm. Dynamisches Löwenbild mit oxidierten Pigmenten und Goldgrund – nächtlich, majestätisch, bedroht.

Heike Lin Triebel realizes the work "Nightmare" in the wake of her series entitled "Wild Horses" and on what at the moment remains an isolated and unique case, the work entitled "Toro".
"Nightmare" could follow the same fate as "Toro" and remain the only work of Heike depicting a lion in her typical technique of "see-through". The colors are the same used in "Wild Horses": blue and aqua green dominate the canvas and make the atmosphere "aquatic". The impression is that of being under water and of glimpsing the king of the forest, a majestic lion. The lion has always been associated with strength and sovereignty. It's a symbol of power and
beauty and Heike Lin Triebel manages to do him justice, depicting him in motion, with the mane
floating in the air and legs ready to run.
From the sensory point of view this work offers a double perspective: on the one hand it transmits
a great strength and desire for revenge, on the other hand the work, as the title suggests, lets glimpse something mysterious and dramatic.
The gaze is determined and at times ominous, as if the lion loomed menacing in our dreams, as if he were both a friend and an enemy. Even the lights create a sort of ambivalent environment,
serene and relaxed but also dramatic.
An interesting detail that can be noticed only after a careful look is the tree, typical of the savannah,
placed in the background, on the right side of the canvas.
Above it there is a luminous circle, perhaps the moon, which places the setting at night, thus reconnecting to the sphere of dreams and nightmares.
HEIKE LIN TRIEBEL ART
Abstract&Figurative Art

„NIGHTMARE“, 2021 120 × 140 cm Acryl, Oxidationspigmente, Firnis, Gaze und Goldgrund auf Leinwand

Painting by Heike Lin Triebel, “The Huntress”, 2022, 30 × 30 cm, acrylic, sand, ash and coffee on canvas. A lioness descending from a tree in a dense, textured jungle scene.

“THE HUNTRESS”, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, coffee on canvas

„THE HUNTRESS“, 2022 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand

“THE THREE OF THE SAVANNAH”, 2023 120 × 80 cm Acrylic and sand on canvas

„THE THREE OF THE SAVANNAH“, 2023 120 × 80 cm Acryl und Sand auf Leinwand

Heike Lin Triebel, “RED KITE”, 2020, 80 × 120 cm, acrylic, mixed media and gold pigments on canvas. Painting of an endangered bird of prey in flight – a tribute to freedom and nature conservation.

“RED KITE”, 2020 80 × 120 cm Acrylic, mixed media, gold pigments on canvas

Heike Lin Triebel, „RED KITE“, 2020, 80 × 120 cm, Acryl, Mixed Media und Goldpigmente auf Leinwand. Darstellung eines vom Aussterben bedrohten Greifvogels – zwischen Freiheit, Biografie und Naturschutz.

Abstract&Figurative Art

„RED KITE“, 2020 80 × 120 cm Acryl, Mixed Media, Goldpigmente auf Leinwand

Heike Lin Triebel, “CHILI-LIZARD”, 2024, 30 × 30 cm, acrylic, sand, ash, and coffee on canvas. A red-toned lizard blending into a fiery textured landscape.

“CHILI-LIZARD”, 2024 30 × 30 cm Acrylic, sand, ash, coffee on canvas

„CHILI-LIZARD“, 2024 30 × 30 cm Acryl, Sand, Asche und Kaffee auf Leinwand

Heike Lin Triebel, “TORO”, 2020, 120 × 140 cm, acrylic, varnish, and gauze on canvas. A red-toned bull with subtle ceremonial details, standing in a dramatic, painterly field.

“TORO”, 2020 120 × 140 cm Acrylic, varnish, gauze on canvas

Heike Lin Triebel, „TORO“, 2020, 120 × 140 cm, Acryl, Firnis und Mull auf Leinwand. Ein kraftvoller Stier, eingebettet in ein intensives, rotes Farbgeflecht mit dezenten Festattributen.

„TORO“, 2020 120 × 140 cm Acryl, Firnis, Mull auf Leinwand

Wings of the Wild - Bewegung, Würde und der stille Ruf der Bedrohten

In dieser Serie fängt Heike Lin Triebel wild lebende Tiere in Momenten intensiver Stille oder plötzlicher Bewegung ein: ein Wildkater, der leise einen Baum hinabsteigt, ein Löwe, der aus dem Schatten tritt, ein Stier, der in der Arena aufstampft, Kraniche und Schwäne als Sinnbilder für Anmut und Schutz, ein leuchtend roter Salamander: der „Chili Lizard“ - sowie der Rotmilan, ein majestätischer Greifvogel, der vom Aussterben bedroht ist.

Diese Werke sind weit mehr als Darstellungen - sie sind Porträts urtümlicher Kraft und fragiler Existenz. Durch lebendige Farben, strukturelle Tiefe und emotionale Aufladung verwandelt Triebel jedes Tier in eine visuelle Präsenz zwischen Stärke und Zerbrechlichkeit. Ihre Bilder offenbaren eine tief verwurzelte Verbindung zur Wildnis und einen stillen, aber eindringlichen Appell zum Schutz dieser Wesen.

Die Serie Wings of the Wild steht in engem Dialog mit ihrer international ausgezeichneten Wild Horses-Serie, die 2024 von der David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in London prämiert wurde. Über beide Serien hinweg nutzt Triebel ihre künstlerische Sprache, um auf den Rückgang bedrohter Tierarten aufmerksam zu machen - nicht als politische Botschaft, sondern als visuelles Zeugnis. Ihr Engagement ist ein stiller Pinselstrich gegen das Verschwinden.