Somumu’s art pays tribute to Mother Earth and raises alarm about climate change

Famous Fijian artist, Anare Somumu says his painting is a tribute to Mother Earth and a reminder about how people have polluted the environment without realising the impacts it has on our livelihoods.

Somumu says his new painting portrays our struggle against climate change.

He says he chose the title 'If there’s hope, let me know', to illustrate the helplessness felt by those who are currently experiencing the impact of climate change.

Somumu further says the significance of cracks appearing on the right corner of his painting is that we have lost so much in terms of our culture and traditions and we do not seem to realise this fact.

He further says the introduction of the westernised lifestyle has affected our identity but the iTaukei need to keep in mind that whatever we have is given by God and we need to embrace it.

Somumu adds the painting is a self-portrait, the shell represents hope and focus and it is placed on the head to show there is a focus but asks are we heading there.