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PoliticsSão Paulo, Brazil

Bold Mural in São Paulo Sends Strong Message to Cargill

A vibrant artwork highlights the urgent plea from Indigenous leaders against environmental destruction.

By Seth Kugel and Victor MoriyamaSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Bold Mural in São Paulo Sends Strong Message to Cargill
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

The mural showcases Alessandra Korap and calls out the agricultural giant's deforestation practices.

In a striking display of activism, a massive mural encompassing 15,000 square feet has emerged on an apartment building in São Paulo, Brazil, showcasing Indigenous leader Alessandra Korap. This powerful artwork is the brainchild of prominent street artist Mundano, who harnessed natural materials, including ash from rainforest fires, to convey a crucial message to Cargill, the Minnesota-based farming behemoth. Collaborating with Stand.Earth, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental conservation, Mundano depicts Korap against a backdrop of a devasted Amazonian landscape, holding a sign that implores Cargill to eliminate crops sourced from lands that have been recently deforested. The mural's location, strategically positioned where it can be easily viewed by both motorists and pedestrians, aims to raise awareness about the ongoing crises faced by the Amazon rainforest due to corporate agriculture. In a light-hearted admission before commencing work, Mundano expressed his fatigue ahead of the ambitious project. However, the anticipation surrounding the mural reflects a collective hope for change—both for the environment and Indigenous communities affected by deforestation. The mural was officially unveiled on Wednesday and has already captivated the city's residents, turning an everyday walk into a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in corporate agricultural practices.

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