A NORTH Wales artist is raising awareness of the devastation of the natural world through his work.
Chad Killoran, from Abergele, combines his love of art and wildlife to increase exposure of the harm humans are doing to the natural world, with a specific focus on species that are seriously threatened by human activity and face extinction.
Mr Killoran previously spent five years working in theatre as a wig and make up artist, and had always been a keen artist outside of his work.
It was during his time travelling with the theatre that his passion for art and environmental conservation grew further, and inspired a change in career direction.
Mr Killoran said: “Various things drove me to this.
“Working in theatre, four of those years I was on tour with Cats the Musical and that was when I got to go to so many countries.
“The travelling side of things definitely opened my eyes to what’s going on in the world.
“During that time, I got to see so much of the world – I got to see a lot of wonderful things and got to see a lot of the issues that humans are causing to the natural world and seeing how that impact is taking place.
“I got to a stage when, as much as I loved the theatre, I knew I wanted to do something else where I could send a message.”
Hi work focuses on exotic wildlife, and has seen the artist spent time in India with Wildlife SOS, helping elephants and bears, and Bolivia, where he volunteered with big cats and monkeys.
Just last year, he shaved his head to raise money for Wildlife SOS, with his hair then donated to the Little Princess Trust.
Before the pandemic, he organised community litter picks in the Abergele and Pensarn area, but since Covid has mainly gone out with family on these assignments.
Mr Killoran has also planted trees in the Abergele area, while five per cent of his profits go to various conservation organisations.
The artist added: “I’m really trying to promote sustainability and awareness about issues like wildlife loss and plastic pollution and benefits of preventing these issues.”
For more information on Chad Killoran's work, click here.
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