Whilst ROA was here in Melbourne, like last time, he spent much of his time and gained much of his inspiration at Healesville Sanctuary.

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For anyone not familiar with the sanctuary, Healesville Sanctuary is a not-for-profit conservation organisation dedicated to fighting wildlife extinction through breeding and recovery programs for threatened species and by working with visitors and supporters to reduce threats facing endangered wildlife.

ROA spent several days at the Sanctuary, meeting and playing with all of the animals, this intimate experience gave him the inspiration for the show, which was complimented by bones and other weird artifacts on loan from the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is currently running a program focusing on endangered species – many of which ROA chose to include as subjects in his show.

Last time ROA painted 3 murals at the Sanctuary, this time he only had time to paint one!! But what a special one it was. His latest addition was a Greater Bilby.

It was so good to watch the show evolve and also experience ROA while meeting and interacting with the animals. ROA knows more about Australian animals than any Australian I’ve ever met – in such a short time ROA learned and absorbed so much from his visits.

A massive thank you to Judy and all the keepers and staff at the Sanctuary – without this amazing connection – the results for ROA’s exhibition and murals  would not have been the same.

A 2nd massive thank you to Casey (The Dreaded Cat) for going up to the Sanctuary over 3 days to get these shots as I was unable to make it – big ups man!

Casey the Dreaded Cat on Instagram.

Healesville Sanctuary website.