A man stands barefoot upon a barren earth, his gaze fixed skyward.

This piece is about how, despite the catastrophes humanity is currently facing, these disasters also contain the potential for real and systemic change. A new beginning...

However, this work is a very layered one, so there is no singular narrative or reading. It is deliberately open to the insights, thoughts, feelings and interpretations the viewer brings to it as well as the artist's perspective. Some of the topics the artist thought about when creating it are our connection to, and impact upon, this Earth; and how historically, the dominant, aggressive white-male imprint upon this planet has frequently been so deadly.

The extreme disconnection we are experiencing from nature and from each other and the internet's exacerbation of this disconnect threatens to overwhelm societies. We live in a time where 99.9 % of all species on this planet have been wiped out, where devastating climate change and extreme weather events including long-lasting, severe fires and floods, a pandemic, extreme wealth inequality, poverty and endless brutal wars leave us reeling from one disaster to the next. Worldwide the current number of refugees is estimated to be 82,000,000 and growing.

This piece is also about the model in the artwork. A peaceful person of Ukrainian heritage, who was caught up in the deadly wars in the former Yugoslavia. His family was forced to flee those wars and is again watching on helplessly as the Ukraine is engulfed once more in war and terror. A refugee who has lost everything many times over in his life and had to start again. Yet, this hardship forged a strong, loving, patient person who is working quietly alongside many other Ukrainians and concerned citizens around the world to raise money awareness and support for the people of the Ukraine. Like all of us, hurt by our degradation of this planet and longing for systemic change in our guardianship of this Earth.

About the artist

Baby Guerrilla is an Australian artist, based in Geelong, interested in approaching space and perspective in new and innovative ways that engage beyond the parameters of a gallery or traditional art space.

She graduated from the Victorian College of The Arts in 2002 and has won several art prizes throughout her career.

She works across various mediums and techniques completing commissions on walls throughout Australia.