How art led to action for Victoria’s sustainable future
It’s no secret that street art can encourage any average passer-by, especially in the iconic graffitied lane ways of Melbourne, to pause and take in what they see. At Sustainability Victoria, we’ve used this medium to encourage all Victorians to take small actions that make a big impact on our sustainable future.
Bendigo locals in regional Victoria have had this message inspiring them everyday thanks to artist Yan Yan Candy Ng. She hand painted a mural depicting the many ways people can commit to small acts that minimise waste and encourage simple and smarter recycling habits in daily life.
Candy was excited to contribute her talents to the initiative, saying “I’m hoping this mural will inspire the community and motivate them to form new habits and create a conversation.”
The mural gave Candy an opportunity to communicate to different cultures who can recognise the message through art and feel inspired to contribute to their thriving multicultural society.
“My cultural background helped me understand other people’s cultural backgrounds and to have appreciation of other cultures. Melbourne is such a multicultural city with many nationalities, so I learn a lot from other cultures as well.”
Sustainability Victoria’s Small Acts, Big Impact campaign aims to make it easier for all Victorians to reduce waste and recycle more by making simple changes at home.
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Presented by:
Yan Yan Candy Ng
Artist and Muralist
Katie Pahlow
Director, Community Action, Sustainability Victoria[The visuals during this webinar are of Yan Yan Candy Ng speaking to camera, and also of the mural that she has painted]
Yan Yan Candy Ng:
Hi. My name is Yan Yan Candy Ng. I’m an artist and a muralist. I painted this mural as part of Small Act Big Impact campaign.
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I think it’s a really meaningful project for me because personally I’m interested in sustainable living. So when this opportunity came up I feel like it’s a perfect opportunity to spread the awareness so hopefully more people will be also into this movement as well. So I’m hoping this mural will inspire, to motivate and to form new habits and to create a conversation.
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My cultural background helped me to understand other people’s cultural background and also to have appreciation of other cultures. Melbourne is such a multicultural city and there’s so many nationalities. I learn a lot from other cultures as well.
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The small acts I have chosen are using my reusable bottle and also clean up the food scraps when possible and put it into the right bin. I reckon I should be doing better on meal planning but it’s really hard. But after this project I think I have to get back to it. Yeah.
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[Visual of slide with text saying ‘Small acts make a big impact’]
[Closing visual of slide with text saying ‘Sustainability Victoria’, ‘Victoria State Government’, ‘sustainability.vic.gov.au/small-acts-general’, ‘Authorised by Sustainability Victoria, 321 Exhibition St, Melbourne’]
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