This brightly colored mural by artist Daniel Wallwork depicts a deep-sea diver touching corals that are becoming bleached.
In his artist statement, Wallwork explains that his mural was inspired by old-fashioned horror movie posters.
The mural is located in Queensland, Australia, where coral bleaching has significantly affected the Great Barrier Reef.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This vibrant mural uses bold colors and a lively font to convey the message about the dangers of coral bleaching.
Students can read the artist's statement for some background information about the artist's thought process.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with coral bleaching, how it is caused, and what can prevent it.
Differentiation
Art teachers could show older students a variety of old-fashioned horror movie posters and have them discuss the elements that Daniel Wallwork used in his mural.
Younger students could name the different living things they see in the mural and discuss what would happen if a species were to disappear from the marine ecosystem.
The resource is an artwork, inspiring students to explore opportunities for coral reef and marine resources conservation. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science and Engineering
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
HS-LS2-6 Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Arts: Standard C1 - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
D.C1.6-8acc.a Explain how the method of display, the location, and the experience of an artwork influence how it is perceived and valued.
D.C1.9-12acc.b Evaluate the effectiveness of an image to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of various audiences.
