Earth Day: Mural painted in Bristol's Windmill Hill
A huge new mural to celebrate Earth Day has been painted close to a primary schoolCreated on Kensal Road in Bristol, the artwork depicts our world among the stars as a honey bee flies around pollinating it.Artist Farrah Fortnam, who created the mural near Victoria Park Primary School, said it is a symbol of the need to rewild the planet. Earth Day was first held in 1970 as an educational initiative to teach people about the importance of environmentalism.
This year's theme is Our Power, Our Planet, highlighting the need for renewable energy and clean electricity.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Lemer, Ms Fortnam said: "It does look quite magical if I say so myself - thank you sunshine!"It took me all of last week off and on, in and out of the rain, but yes, I had the heavens on my side."I feel like we need as much joy in our lives [as possible] at the moment. "There's a lot of turmoil in the world as we know, but I just want us all to step back, go quiet, just focus on all the infinite beauty that's on our planet - in the universe - and just know that you're ok."
Ms Fortnam says some people who look closely at the mural may spot the Aquarius constellation and Orion's Belt, while more obvious is a colourful rainbow bursting out of the Earth into space. Choosing the location on Kensal Road, she said, was a "no brainer", given the nearby school.
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