Australian artist and one of my personal favorite artists Fintan Magee just completed a mural for Urban Vision Festival 2017 in Acquapendente, Italy.
About The Mural
“Drowning While Standing” is the title of Fintan Magee’s latest mural depicts a young man drowning while standing. His face is incased in plastic as rising water levels engulf his face, suffocate his voice and render him mute and breathless. This mural, said the artist, is set in the context of the US pulling out of the Paris agreement.
Fintan added, that in 2016 a report released at the UN climate change conference in Marrakech stated that young people aged 18-25 say they are more concerned about climate change than the economy, terrorism, unemployment or any other issue. As rising sea levels, increased aridity and coral bleaching become a visible global reality it’s easy for young voters to feel ignored by politicians and policy makers who continually focus on the needs of baby boomers and older voters. As inaction on climate change continues many young people are being locked out of stable employment and housing while being forced to deal with rising education costs and rising sea levels.
Many young people now feel unheard, disconnected from politics, and increasingly cynical about the future of the planet.
About The Artist
Fintan Magee is an Australian street artist known for hus murals throughout Australia and the world. Born in Lismore, New South Wales, he grew up in Brisbane, gaining a reputation as a graffiti writer before obtaining a fine arts degree and relocating to Sydney.
His work often deals with environmental issues, in 2015 his solo show at Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne was themed arounnd his own personal experiences in the 2011 Brisbane floods. He often uses personal stories to talk about broader issues like climate change and the migrant crisis.
He received national acclaim for his mural depicting Felix Baumgartner in Brisbane, and has participated in various public art festivals in Australia and abroad.
Source: Wikipedia
Fintan Magee: web | facebook | instagram
Soapbox Moment
In a way Fintan Magee is right about the young who feel unheard, disconnected from politics, and increasingly cynical about the future of the planet. But it also makes me wonder why the young are still silent, while it is blatant that pulling out the Paris Climate Agreement is only serving the fascist rich and powerful whose main purpose is based on money and greed. Are we just too busy making ends meet or are we too afraid to speak up? When are we going to realize that our leaders could care less about us!
