Breathing, bushfires and 'little bees': children make art for the climate ... - The Guardian

Breathing, bushfires and ‘little bees’: children make art for the climate crisis - in pictures | Culture | The Guardian

Breathing, bushfires and ‘little bees’: children make art for the climate crisis – in pictures

For the 2024 Adelaide festival, young people from around South Australia were invited to make art in response to their three climate change priorities, chosen via a survey: mass extinction, extreme weather, and air and waterway pollution.

Through workshops supported by local schools, more than 1,100 works were submitted to the Create4Adelaide project, from artists as young as one – which the public can now vote on until 4 December. A selection of the works appears below but the full suite is available at the Create4Adelaide website. The top-voted works will be exhibited at the 2024 Adelaide festival in March

- Head to Create4Adelaide for more information
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Bees, by Berky (two years old)‘We’ll look after you, little bees,’ Berky said in his artist statement.
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Australia, by Eloise (six)‘I included a kookaburra because I like them and they’re part of my culture. When people look at my artwork I want them to feel welcome on this land. The environment is important because I really love my world. It’s important, otherwise we won’t exist.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Potoroo, by Sasha (17)‘What began as an art class assignment became a relaxing large-scale project, where I also discovered my love for charcoal and a furry little friend. The potoroo is like a smaller quokka, a cute marsupial that is endangered due to introduced predators. Even when sketching the individual hairs became tedious, I still enjoyed the process and outcome of this artwork.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Trouble Breathing, by Jade (13)
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Insect Parade, by Sophie (six)‘I drew an insect parade. I love nature and in my picture my favourite caterpillars are celebrating with a party!’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Arethusa, by Eleanor (14)‘My sculpture represents the need to protect our waterways. According to Greek mythology Arethusa was a nymph who was transformed into a stream, and who now lives within our waterways, fighting as a protector of them. The artwork serves as a reminder of our need to preserve the health of our waterways as the survival of all living things relies on it.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Save the Reefs, by Charlotte (eight)‘Our reefs provide a habitat for numerous species of marine life and protect the coastline from storms and wave damage. Corals and sponges are filter feeders, which means they consume impurities and leave behind cleaner and healthier water.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Action, by Chrislee (17)‘In modern times humanity is lured by greed. This has strong impacts on nature, animals and people. To make a change, activists aid in the resistance of harmful greed by doing positive action against environmental destruction and its Anthropocene.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Survivors, by Victoria (10)
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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The Lightning, by Evie (seven)‘I wanted to show how dangerous storms and flooding can be, that thunder and lightning can scare animals and babies. Please stop making pollution in the air and always pick up rubbish, even if it’s not yours. Earth is the only home we will have so please keep the Earth tidy and safe.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Bushfires, by Jackson (three)‘Jackson has let his work speak for itself on the dangers of bushfires to our natural environment, and to the habitats of our feathered friends.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Two Possible Worlds, by Chloe (10)‘My picture shows two possible worlds, one good, one bad. Which one will we choose as our future? I worry a lot about air pollution because soon all animals and people will suffer because of our careless actions. It’s not too late to stop pollution and care for our planet!’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide
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Save the Unicorns, by Zoe (four)‘Unicorns are my favourite animal. I love animals, they are beautiful and they are our friends. My unicorn is rainbow, because that is my favourite colour. I put stars on her because stars are pretty and shiny and it is nice to look up at the stars.’
Photograph: Create4Adelaide