An Illusion of Belonging
Break the chain
AN ILLUSION OF BELONGING
In 2021, I created a series of murals titled "An Illusion of Belonging" for a short-term NGO campaign curated by A.L.A.N. to raise awareness about illegal wildlife trafficking. The mural visually addresses the poignant issue of displaced and exploited wildlife, using art to evoke empathy and bring attention to this critical cause.
A.R. animation
ABOUT
CONCEPT
Humanity and the Pangolin
STORY BEHIND
THE ARTISTIC TRANSITION
This project marked a significant transition in my painting process. I shifted from primarily relying on spray paints to predominantly using brushes. Embracing the unique texture that brushes bring, I found satisfaction in their results. Both mediums, however, allow me to achieve the desired outcome I seek in my artwork.
A Creature in the Wrong Place
TPAPPED LIVES . FADING HOPE
Unveiling the Illusory Rainforest in Search of Belonging
Humanity and the Pangolin - One human is cradled by the pangolin, “the creature of legend,” while the other assumes a childlike pose within the nest. Hope blossoms under the faux sky and amidst the illusionary tropical rainforest for a nomadic journey in search of belonging. Yet, the truth reveals a sad reality—a life trapped within a constructed cage.
A Grey Parrot's Dream
Dreaming of freedom, such is the dream of the muster grey parrot—an illusion of itself dressing decently and living a luxurious life in a faux Congo rainforest. But it's only a delusion and never to be reached dream. The mural shows two tiny figures trapped within cages by the African grey parrot as domesticated pets, subtly tied down by sugar-coated laces, unknowingly deprived of their freedom. In contrast, the grey parrot is free as it wishes, but only in its fantasy.
A GREY PARROT’S DREAM
A Creature in the Wrong Place
A Creature in the Wrong Place
He’s nicely dressed. He’s nearly human. He believed that being a guest here was what he was supposed to be. Sadly, the scales' screen tells everything. It seemed to provide him with an illusion of belonging, giving him a sort of home-like atmosphere among his own kind. But, in contrast, the reality is far more grim.
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What if we swapped places?
Tiny Adam & Eve-esque Humans trapped within golden cages by an African Grey Parrot, the most intelligent bird species on the planet.
As domesticated pets, Humans are subtly tied down by sugar-coated fancy laces, unknowingly deprived of their freedom. In stark contrast, Grey Parrots are plentiful, proud, and pass through freely as they wish. Oh, how the tables have turned!
Such is the dream of the “master” Grey Parrot. A fantasy of being well-dressed, living the luxurious life in a faux Congo rainforest setting. The perfectly delusional illusion one can only imagine but never reach.
African Grey Parrots are an endangered species listed on CITES Appendix I, meaning all international commercial trade is prohibited. But without proper enforcement, smuggling continues, and unscrupulous traffickers continue to reap profits.
“Break-The-Chain” is our campaign Fusing Street Art & Augmented Reality to make noise for the animals, with the aim to change the law regarding wildlife crime.
Help us change the law by taking 2mins to sign;
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“Break the Chain” is an initiative of the HK Wildlife Trade Working Group, ADMCF, and A.L.A.N.
Artist: Neil Wang
Music: Babani Soundsystem