Home

Climate murals paint symbols of fear and hope as our future is decided at COP26

Headshot of Tom Shanahan
Tom ShanahanGreat Southern Herald
Simmental Bull painted on a dilapidated house
Camera IconSimmental Bull painted on a dilapidated house

Two climate-inspired decorative murals are bringing a splash of green to the Wheatbelt.

WA artist James Giddy has painted two murals to spark environmental conversations while the planet’s future is being debated at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

The summit is set to conclude on Friday after bringing world leaders together in an effort to promote meaningful action on climate change.

One of Giddy’s works — a piece titled Lost, which is painted on a water tank in a field of lupins — features two little penguins searching for a new home.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW
Little Penguins painting
Camera IconLittle Penguins painting Credit: .

The other is a Simmental Bull painted on a dilapidated house, with wind turbines painted within its body.

“The derelict house that hosts the mural acts as a symbol of the deteriorating future we are facing, while the scene within the bull, encourages the future we need to look towards,” Giddy said.

Two more murals are being planned for Perth.

“I wanted something that instantly spoke ‘climate change’, but also something that was directly relevant to WA,” Giddy said.

“Bringing a coastal species, in particular a penguin, into a regional environment emphasises that they are lost and in peril.

“The pair, in their action and body language, are evidently confused and looking for something: a new home.

“The reality is that regional Australia will be heavily impacted by the changing climate, yet, with the vast space and exposure to the sun and wind, holds potential to benefit significantly.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails