Mundano, a Brazilian artist and activist, has created a massive mural in Sao Paulo utilizing materials from natural disasters to highlight the crisis of climate change, specifically the impacts of extreme drought and deforestation in the Amazon. The mural includes a prominent figure, Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap, raising demands for corporate accountability from Cargill, a soybean producer linked to deforestation. The work reflects the urgent need for environmental regeneration amid a backdrop of worsening weather conditions in Brazil.
In Sao Paulo, Brazilian artist and activist Mundano has unveiled a striking mural, measuring over 30 meters tall and 48 meters wide, created with materials sourced from natural disasters, including ash from wildfires and mud from floods. This artwork serves as a poignant commentary on climate change, capturing the disastrous impacts of extreme weather events in Brazil. The mural vividly depicts the parched earth and the gray remnants of trees, symbolizing the extensive deforestation and severe droughts plaguing the Amazon rainforest. Additionally, the mural features Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap adorned with a flowered crown, holding a sign demanding accountability from Cargill, a major soybean company whose farming practices significantly contribute to deforestation. Mundano’s work references Cargill’s commitment to eradicating deforestation in its supply chain in Brazil and surrounding regions by 2025, highlighting the pressing need for corporate accountability in environmental matters. “We are tired of being a country where we and our natural resources are exploited… We have to regenerate our planet instead of destroying it,” expressed Mundano in a recent interview, further emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis. The urgency of the situation in Brazil has been underscored by a series of devastating wildfires and severe droughts, which have negatively impacted air quality and devastated communities across the nation. For instance, the Amazon’s Negro River has recently recorded alarming low levels, raising concerns given the history of its fluctuation through seasonal changes. While droughts persist, floods earlier in the year have also inflicted significant humanitarian crises, with over 180 lives lost in Rio Grande do Sul due to extreme flooding. Mundano, who combines artistry with activism—deeming himself an ‘artivist’—gathered the materials used in this mural from various natural disaster locations, demonstrating the interconnectedness of floods and drought phenomena. His previous works similarly focused on environmental degradation, collectively raising awareness of the critical issues transforming Brazil’s landscapes.
This article discusses Brazilian artist Mundano’s recent mural in Sao Paulo, which utilizes materials sourced from natural disasters to address the pressing issue of climate change. The work expresses the destruction stemming from extreme weather events while calling out large corporations responsible for environmental exploitation. By showcasing the dire state of the Amazon and emphasizing community messages, the mural aims to hold corporations accountable for their roles in deforestation and environmental degradation. The artist’s unique use of disaster materials serves to symbolize the catastrophic consequences of climate neglect, aiming to rally public consciousness and action towards ecological regeneration.
Mundano’s mural serves not only as a significant artistic expression but also as a powerful statement on the urgent need to address climate change and the responsibility of corporations like Cargill in contributing to environmental destruction. The artwork encapsulates the pain of ecological loss while advocating for a renewed commitment to preserving and regenerating the planet’s natural resources. As the effects of climate change continue to manifest through extreme weather patterns in Brazil, the importance of activism in art becomes increasingly evident.
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