We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands.

Giles Alexander When the fire came my loss was total (Australian bushfires from space)

Wynne Prize 2023 finalist Giles Alexander ‘When the fire came my loss was total (Australian bushfires from space)’

Imagine yourself in space looking down on this scene. How would you feel?

Giles Alexander has painted the vast smoke cloud that covered most of Australia during the bushfires of 2019–20, as seen from space. Even though the bushfires were scary, Giles has created an image of beauty and wonder. Notice the Earth’s curve and the glow of the atmosphere against the darkness of space.

What would you like to see if you were looking at Earth from space?