The WA Wheatbelt is the last place in the world you might expect to spot a little penguin, but the flightless seabird is helping to start a conversation about climate change from the state's agricultural heartland.
Billionaire philanthropists Andrew and Nicola Forrest have commissioned a series of mural artworks to coincide with the start of COP26 in a bid to get people in regional Australia thinking about how climate change affects them.
The paintings by artist James Giddy feature little penguins walking through a lupin crop, and a Simmental bull hosting a landscape of wind turbines within its body on an ageing water tank and derelict house in Wickepin, about 200km south-east of Perth.
Delving into the unknown
Mr Giddy said his work often removed individuals and animals from their known environment to challenge viewers to reassess their existing understanding of the subject.
"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.
"This was an opportunity to use art as the leverage to create that conversation."
Ms Forrest said she hoped the work would spark conversation and send the important messages of COP26 home to Australia.
"Arts and cultural experiences can communicate complex themes and connect communities in unique ways."
Mr Giddy said the first works in the series were developed in the Wheatbelt because the region is rich in renewable resources such as wind and power.
The project will fund two further works will be painted in Perth in coming weeks as COP26 closes.
