Candle Art

All artworks designed by Art For Earth's founder and artist Jorge Pujol; images
subject to copyright.

Click on images to see more photos on each of the artworks.

Save Gaza Now Candles: ACT, Australia 2009 Art For Earth created this message commissioned and organised by Keyser Trad, President of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, to produce public action to the situation in Gaza. Art For Earth does not involve itself with politics and believes that people with conscience should be concerned with unabashed bombing of civilian areas by whoever for whatever ideological reason or nationalistic rationale. The UN condemns such actions and as members of the human race we should all start ensuring that basic rules and needs concerning humanity be met by all nations......... More on the page on this event.

Energy [R]Evolution: Cairns, Australia 2008  Art For Earth made a strong public art satement for the use of alternative energy sources with a 3000 candle image of a wind turbine. The artwork was commissioned by Greenpeace Australia.

The Last Day of Freedom: La Plata, Argentina 2008 Art For Earth created this image to gain recognition for and respect for indigenous peoples. This was done on the eve of the anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the Americas which heralded the loss of lands, freedoms and cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Julio López Candles 2 years: La Plata, Argentina 2008 This artwork is for Julio López who disappeared on the 18th of September 2006 after testifying against Miguel Etchecolatz; a police official who was convicted of genocide.   Lopez was abducted and detained during the reign of the former military government and was a key witness in trials seeking justice against those that committed atrocities.  The situation of Julio Lopez a local bricklayer in La Plata being abducted within the democratic system implemented in 1983, struck a raw nerve with the people still deeply affected from the barbaric rule of the former military government. Many human rights groups in La Plata, Argentina rally on the 18th day of every month seeking answers and justice regarding Julio López, this artwork was for the 2nd anniversary of his disappearance. There are still over 30,000 people unaccounted for and believed killed during the systematic abduction, torture and killings committed by the military government between 1976 and 1983. Many of those that committed the crimes against humanity have escaped prosecution and many have impunity from justice. Human rights activists are still being threatened and kidnapped by supporters of the former military government and those who do not wish for the real truth to come out.

Dok'ku: Tandora Homestead, Qld Australia 2008 Art For Earth's environmental artwork to save the Dok'ku Cod Fish in association with project partners; 'Greater Mary Association Inc.', 'Save the Mary River Coordinating Group', 'Tiaro Landcare' and the 'Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee'. The artwork was installed at the mouth of the Mary River which is environmentaly significant and many species including the endangered Dok'ku (Mary River Cod) are dependent on it.

Botnia Papermill: Gualeguaychú, Argentina 2008 A public art statement against the environmental damage caused by papermills such as the Botnia plant in Uruguay across the river from Gualeguaychú Argentina. Around the world papermill plants are built; most state of the art like Botnia and most promise to operate within stringent ecological friendly ways. Nearly all fail to continue with the high standards of controls to safegaurd the environment. They use many highly toxic products that are too financially unviable to dispose of properly over continued operation and which end up in waterways inevitably.

Julio López 18 Months: La Plata, Argentina 2008 Candle artwork for the 18 Months Anniversary since Julio López dissapeared. The event was organised and coordinated with various humanitarian and political groups in La Plata.

Sorry Candles: Canberra, Australia 2008 Art For Earth's  public art statement in support of reconciliation on the eve of the historical apology to the indigenous people of Australia by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Australian government. 4000 candles sponsored by Get Up Australia gave the message of 'Sorry, The First Step' heralding in a new era of mutual respect between the indigenous and non indigenous peoples of the country.

Remember, Reflect, React: Holocaust Centre, UK 2008 Commissioned by the Aegis Trust that monitors and reports on genocide around the world. The artwork sends a strong message that genocide isn't a past memory confined to the holocaust, it has been a continual and horrific blight on our humanity. Will we continue to look away from the genocides of today and be complicit through our inaction as we have always been?

Let Them Be: Dundowran, Qld Australia 2007 Many sponsors and supporters helped with this project to call for the killing of whales to stop.

Candles for Peace: Dili, East Timor 2007 Art For Earth's candle art statement to promote the peaceful elections in East Timor.  Thirteen lines of candles representing the regions of the country converged at the statue of the peoples patron saint; symbolizing peace, harmony and common purpose.

Julio López 3 months: Buenos Aires, Argentina 2007 Art For Earth installed this artwork for Julio López three months after his disappearence.

Candles for Human Rights: Buenos Aires, Argentina 2007 Art for Earth created this art statement in conjunction with Amnesty International, Argentina to promote the International Day for Human Rights.

Stop Torture: Brisbane, Australia 2006 This world record breaking 'flaming image' at the time, consisting of 11,809 candles was commissioned by Amnesty International.  It gave a strong public message that all humanity should not tolerate the use of torture in the world by any country, for any reason. The issue of the use of torture by the US and the soft discourse of ‘Rendition’ it uses when sending people to other countries to be tortured, was particularly topical at the time with Australian, David Hicks held without trial in Guantanamo bay. Terry Hicks the father of the Guantanamo bay detainee lit the first candle.

Candles against the death penalty: Brisbane, Aust. 2006 Amnesty International commissioned this and the artwork below to gain public momentum in stopping death penalties around the world. At the time Australian, Mr Nuygen was facing a death penalty in Singapore for alleged drug trafficking which he was found guilty for at a later date and executed. As the essence and uttermost commonality of every human on this planet, humanity should revere life above all else. The taking of it for another life or any other reason should be abhorrent. Protection of other lives from dangerous people is important but this can be achieved without execution and once a person is executed there is no possibility of a reversal if the verdict is wrong or unjust.

Candles against the death penalty: Canberra, Aust. 2006 Amnesty International commissioned this and the artwork above to gain public momentum in stopping death penalties around the world. While nationalism, belief and ideology detract us from realising we are all of one humanity, life itself is something that we share, and we should have the empathy to cherish each and every human life as importantly as our own. The reality of life itself is above all belief and ideology, untainted by hegemony, devoid of tradition or idealism, unchanged by interpretations or theories of its origin. To truly take stock of what sort of species we want to evolve into and fulfil the potential of humanity firstly we should cherish and worship human life above all else. Apart from practical reasons that make the death penalty inhumane and a flawed irreversible punishment, it sends the wrong message that killing can be condoned under certain circumstances. Humanity should strive to consider any death as abhorrent and each of us do what we can to protect life.

Mother Candles: Hervey Bay, Qld Australia 2004 On 28th November 2004, 1,214 USA Soldiers died in Iraq! These candles were placed in recognition of the suffering of the Mother's of the fallen!