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Artist marks Earth Day with mural to inspire
A Bristol artist is commemorating World Earth Day 2025 with a mural “to inspire.”
Farrah Fortnam, an artist who has hundreds of nature-themed pieces painted across Bristol, chose to paint the mural on a house adjacent to Victoria Park Primary School in Windmill Hill.
The homeowners are said to be “overjoyed” to have the artwork on their house.
is needed now More than ever
Artist Farrah Fortman in front of her latest work. Murals last upwards of ten years – photo: Farrah Contemporary Art
Her art is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect and nurture our oceans and rainforests.
Drawing upon her own experience, she cites a visit a trip to Borneo she took to see family, on that trip she tells of typical activities such as snorkelling and swimming, but she says the trip was also upsetting.
“Right in front of us they were chopping down the rainforest and then there is palm plantations that stretch for miles. It was heartbreaking,” she says.
Details include the Aquarius constellation to signify ‘the age of Aquarius’ – photo: Farrah Contemporary Art
While protecting wildlife and the earth can feel like an overwhelming prospect in the context of failing to hit climate targets and populations of species dwindling over the decades, she chooses to shift the focus to the positive.
She explains:”People feel unsafe being in the country, being in the world.”
She fears that too much of a focus on subjects such as war and violence will leave people uninspired and without hope.
“I just want to say that there is so much beauty in the world. I want people to think of all the good things that are happening around the planet.
“That’s why I just wanted to come back and paint them to raise awareness. I donated to the rainforest alliance, just to help me feel better about what’s going on, just do some good.”
Farrah also draws upon her Persian heritage to inspire her style as an artist – photo: Hannah Massoudi
“Paint the world that you want to see,” she says.
“I want it to be just inspiration for people to go home, paint the world that they want and get them into art.
“You literally have to paint your own vision of the planet you want”, she reiterates.
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This year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet”, with campaigners calling on “everyone to unite around renewable energy” to help triple clean electricity by 2030.
Main photo: Farrah Contemporary Art
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