Creating Wild Lights at Taronga for Vivid 2023 was about more than painting pretty pictures for Wiradjuri artist Nathan Peckham.
As well as crafting a trail through the Sydney zoo of lanterns and lights inspired by wildlife, Mr Peckham collaborated with 16 children from St Lucy's School for Students with Disabilities on an artwork about the importance of caring for and respecting country.
"In Wiradjuri language we have a beautiful term called Yindyamarra, which means having the respect for all things, for country and our place in it," Mr Peckham said.
"It is quite a complex term, but I wanted to capture something that transcended the visual representation of country."
The mural tells about connecting place and nature, and uniting people of all abilities by caring for country.
Anna Town is the head of business development services at real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield, which sponsored the Wild Lights mural project, and a parent of a child who attends St Lucy's.
"I think the experience that the children from St Lucy's were able to have at the zoo last week was special, unique and inclusive, and it isn't often that kids with disabilities get to participate and belong and have these types of experiences," she said.
Mr Peckham worked with the children on hand stencilling, dot painting and leaf painting. He also spoke to them about First Nations storytelling and caring for country.
"It is more than just painting pretty pictures," Mr Peckham said.
The Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo after-dark event, which features dozens of giant animal lanterns based on Mr Peckham's designs, continues until June 17.
