A new mural in Durban was inspired by a reality check after a Spoonbill was seen sifting its way through trash-filled water. Artist Giffy Duminy turned the moment into a reminder of why water consciousness is so important, and created something beautiful!
Clairwood, South Africa (24 August, 2023) — World Water Week has flowed from 20 to 24 August. During this important week, we’re reminded that you don’t need to be some kind of Aquaman to commit to water consciousness because we all have the capacity to be heroes of water, drop by drop.
One reminder came in paint form; dressing up a clean-up container in industrial Clairwood, Durban. Here, the Umhlatazana River river runs nearby, where water heroes across sectors of society work tirelessly to restore the river to its natural best.
The container was given its makeover by graffiti artist and nature lover Giffy Duminy, who has adorned walls with every kind of nature-inspired artwork from larger-than-life squids to massive turtles.
For Duminy’s latest mural, a Spoonbill and River Crab take centre stage, inspired by a tough reality check.
Inspired by a visit to the river, the mural now honours, Duminy noticed that there was a Spoonbill “sifting through some trash with its head underwater,” as the artist recalls.
The mural was painted for Adopt a River SA and now serves as a reminder as to why water consciousness matters, matter.
For Duminy, it was an important ode to the artist’s favourite environment.
“Sometimes I think I’m an otter that was born into a human body,” Duminy muses.
You can join the water heroes by getting involved with Adopt a River, or by doing your part to care more about water in everyday ways, like volunteering for beach or river cleanups, conserving water in your home or even by setting up a rain barrel.
by 