Bordalo II Installs Recycled Quokka Sculpture in Fremantle

Portuguese artist Bordalo II has installed a new public artwork titled 'Happy Quokkas' in Fremantle, Western Australia. The piece is part of his ongoing 'Big Trash Animals' series, created in partnership with Piazza Fremantle. The sculpture depicts quokkas, small marsupials native to Western Australia known for their cheerful appearance, using reclaimed waste materials including plastic, metal, and industrial debris. The work addresses environmental themes by transforming discarded items into large-scale animal representations, highlighting both the animals' cultural significance and their vulnerable conservation status. Quokkas are classified as vulnerable species facing habitat loss, and their name originates from Aboriginal languages of southwestern Western Australia. Bordalo II is internationally recognized for creating animal sculptures from waste to comment on ecological degradation, with works exhibited globally. The installation continues his exploration of art's role in environmental awareness through visually engaging public pieces.