Environmental awareness through mural art: a survey of iconographic representations of whales and polar bears on Italian walls

Marine plastic pollution is one of the most significant global challenges, with domestic waste, fishing nets, and microplastics contributing to the formation of plastic islands in seas and oceans. Other forms of oceanic and coastal pollution are caused by agriculture, sewage, urban areas, industrial discharge, oil spills, maritime traffic, and more. In response to this, a whole series of awareness and educational initiatives has aimed to highlight the threats faced by marine environments. Photojournalistic investigative projects, documentaries, videos produced by international organisations, and musical videos, among other artistic works, have tried to reshape how seascapes are perceived. Within the context of the relationship between geography and art, this contribution explores how artistic and creative actions, in particular through specific forms of muralism, have attempted to foster greater sensitivity towards the sea and the ocean within the Italian sphere. Adhering to the concept of popular culture as a means of disseminating environmental discourse, the research delves into the role of murals in shaping our perception of endangered seas and oceans, portraying seascapes in need of conservation. Through visual analysis and an iconographic approach, the article examines the portrayal of animals in artworks, emphasising how certain symbolic species (especially whales and polar bears) have become visual icons in promoting the conservation of seas and oceans. While the inclusion of such animals in artistic activism serves to evoke emotions and raise awareness of environmental issues, it also runs the risk of being criticised for oversimplification.