More than 4,600 children from across Australia entered our 2022 Wild At Art threatened species art competition, including 11-year-old Lola, who champions cassowaries and the role of art in defending our precious wildlife.
With its sharp claws and horn-like casque, the cassowary is, to many, a formidable sight. To Lola, this endangered Australian bird, found in the tropical forests of Far North Queensland, is instead a shy treasure which urgently needs our help and attention.
“I think many of our native animals are quite misunderstood,” says the Melbourne schoolgirl. “I love the cassowary and I wanted to shine a spotlight on it.”
So when it came to choosing a subject for her entry in our 2022 Wild At Art competition, it was an easy pick for this talented young artist.
Lola spent many hours in an “intense but enjoyable process”, working with coloured pencils and oil pastels, using photographs to meticulously recreate the cassowary’s stunning hues and that prehistoric gaze.
Lola then approached a local cafe to ask if she could sell prints of her artwork as a fundraiser for ACF. They agreed and so far, Lola is thrilled to have raised $90.
“I hope that my actions and art can raise awareness of native Australian endangered animals so they can be protected for the future,” she says.
“I’ve learnt from this that everyone can make a difference and hopefully create a domino effect. We all need to support each other and our planet and do something about problems like habitat loss.”
Lola’s mother Jade says her highly creative daughter’s lifelong passion for animals and for raising awareness through her art is a powerful combination.
“Lola is wonderfully tenacious,” says Jade, “and she simply refuses to be a helpless bystander.”
