Self-taught artist Heather Fraser uses her art as a form of creative political
expression. An Associate Professor in social work Heather submitted a collection of
small paintings to be included on this issue cover to express our human struggles.
This is made evident in the work as messages to provoke in the viewer an emotive
response, particularly in those people who have experienced recent traumatic
events like the recent black lives matter protests, the catastrophic bushfires and then
the fear and devastation caused by COVID-19. Heather ‘appreciates how art can be
a bridge into discussion about human-animal relations, including discussions that
are confronting’. ‘I want to use my artwork to recognise animal sentience and the
violence committed against animals, including violence in domestic
homes’ (Fraser 2020). For example the painting with the Koala in the arms of a
saviour conveys the magnitude of loss of Australian wildlife through these fires
and the importance of saving even one animal. These images in their simplicity
provide a self-evident message. Heather’s images portray, from left global racial
protests, the Australian bushfires, the seriousness of the pandemic and stop
Adanai protests (a contoversial coal mine) that has devastating consequences for
the environment.