2023



01.    Endangered

Motivation for climate activism has always been my boys. Here I tried to capture a look to set the tone. Climate change is serious, humans are at risk like every other species on earth.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

115 cm x 115 cm


02.    Floating Witches

Taking a break from rehersals, Dirt Witches swim in the Shoalhaven River. The Dirt Witches gathered to perform as part of Janet Laurence’s ‘Spells for Weather’ at Bundanon. This was the first time I’d met many of my fellow Dirt Witches. The weather was hot and extremley humid. There was little talking, just floating and listening to gentle sounds of this beautiful place.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

65 cm x 120 cm

SOLD



03.    Floating Witch Study

Taking a break from rehersal’s a Dirt Witch swims in the Shoalhaven River. The Dirt Witches gathered to perform as part of Janet Laurence’s ‘Spells for Weather’ at Bundanon.
Acrylic on Linen

Canvas Size

45.5 cm x 61 cm



04.    Forest to Earth

Trees are the most amazing living beings. This painting speaks about the importance of forests in connection with the earth and ourselves as living beings. Centuries ago trees were once revered for their gifts and magical powers. It is time to regain this knowledge, celebrate and protect our forests as if they were made of gold.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

122 cm x 91.5 cm



05.    Mother and Child

This painting is about connection, love and guidance. This is me and one of my boys at the beach, although this could be any mother and child. The mother nurtures and protects, allowing their children to grow and thrive. Earth - As our mother gets sick we leave ourselves exposed and vulnerable.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

115 cm x 115 cm



06.    Not the Enemy 

#1

The composition for this painting was inspired by the arrest of Violet Coco. A courageous young women who was famously imprisoned for holding up traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge under Sydney’s draconian new anti-protest laws. Through Coco’s silhouette is a rainforest, the heroic climate activist fights for our natural world. #extinctionrebellion

#2

This second painting completes the set. Taking reference from the powerful 2023 Just Stop Oil Wimbledon protest where an older gentlemen interrupted play by throwing golden confetti before being dragged away by security. In this scene - he represents our oceans. These desperate and heartbreaking protests continue to demonstrate the suicidal grip fossil fuels have throughout our society.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

#1 - 115 cm x 115 cm
#2 - 115 cm x 90 cm


07.    The Lords of Complacency

Imagine finding out that the world was literally on fire and heating at a rate that is set to destroy life as we know it within the next few decades. At this ‘Just Stop Oil’ protest at Lords - who was behaving irrationally? I see a young man who understands what is at stake and is willing to face huge fines and jail time to get a message out that would save billions of lives. How good would it have been if the cricketer shook his hand and escorted him off with dignity. This is an act of pure bravery and self sacrifice.
Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Sizes

28 cm x 35.5 cm

Set of 3




08.    Brooke by the Window

This painting was a study looking at looser flat colours with a limited pallet and a transparent wash background. Brooke is a mum, fellow climate activist, artist and teacher. Saving Australian forest habitat from being destroyed by our own government is one of her main battles. In Australia we are in a deforestation and extinction crisis, where endangered animals and birds are loosing their big trees which leaves them nowhere to feed or nest - this is critical habitat.

Acrylic on Canvas

Canvas Size

55 cm x 61 cm


09.    Nowhere to go

The thought for this painting came after seeing the documentary #blackcockatoo which shows the struggle of Western Australia’s ‘endangered’ Black Cockatoo to find what’s left of it’s feeding habitat. The state government seems to be doing it’s best to destroy every last refuge for these birds. The flock fly’s over a treeless wasteland, soon to disappear from our skies. Australia’s critical habitat must be protected now.
Acrylic on Canvas








©Vanessa Wright 2024