We had the opportunity to meet a Chilean artist whose life and work reflect her deep love for nature and her connection to conservation. From her beginnings in Chile to her artistic growth in Australia, she has found art to be a medium to express her passion for the natural world and her concerns for endangered wildlife. In this interview, she shares her personal story, the projects that have shaped her career, and how she has managed to merge two seemingly distant worlds: design and nature. We invite you to discover her fascinating journey, full of creativity and purpose.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR STORY, AND HOW YOU GOT INTO THE ART WORLD.
I grew up completely in love with nature. I was born in Chile, and we moved a lot because of my dad’s job. That took me to many different places across different countries, and while doing my best to cope with all the changes around me, I always found comfort in nature. I was the kid who spent all day watching insects in the backyard and collecting NatGeo magazines. Then, when we moved to Arica for a few years, I grew up surrounded by hummingbirds and rescuing injured wildlife while living in the rural Azapa Valley. I always wanted to study zoology, but I was never good at science, so when the time came to decide what to do, I opted for design, as I loved the idea that it was kind of like art but with a function.
It’s remarkable how the connection with nature has been the thread that runs through her life and career. From her early experiences in the rural Azapa Valley to her development as a designer, her passion for animals and the natural world has permeated her creative process. This deep love for wildlife has not only guided her career but has also imbued her art with a purpose that transcends borders.
During university, I questioned my place in the world as a designer: what kind of difference was I going to make in the world? What was my responsibility? So much seemed to be very human-centered, but my mind (and it always will) stayed focused on the animal world. Something didn’t fit.
I was inspired by the most amazing artists and designers who were also activists, like Shepard Fairey, Barbara Kruger, Tibor Kalman, and Milton Glaser, and I realized there was another path to follow. I got involved in street art and a more dissident design style, denouncing what I felt was unjust and needed to be addressed at that time in Chile.
Soon after finishing university, I traveled to Milan to live in a city that breathes design. I met Chris (the other half of @eggpicnic), who was doing his master’s in product design. I was living with some friends who were moving back to Chile and had to find a place to live. I also ended up with everything my friends left behind, including many boxes of eggs. Chris asked me to move in with him, so I arrived at his doorstep with my suitcases and a basket full of eggs. Not wanting to waste them, we boiled them, scrambled them, and poached them, and went for a picnic at Parco Sempione, where we decided to work together, merging our skills in graphic and product design to celebrate our love for nature.
Then we moved to Chile for a few years and started working with local artisans who lived in harmony with the land they inhabited. We were greatly inspired and knew that as designers, we had to leave the world in a better place than we found it. So, our mission would be to use our work to generate public support for endangered ecosystems and wildlife. That’s how @eggpicnic started, a design studio dedicated to wildlife conservation.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO AUSTRALIA?
Chris applied for permanent residency, but because a document "went missing" in the process, it was denied. He had to leave Chile and asked if I would move to Sydney with him. I said, "Sure, I’ll give it a year." Fast forward 12 years later, I’m still living in Australia, and being here solidified my love for nature. I became particularly interested in birds. An encounter with a sulfur-crested cockatoo landing on my balcony was enough to amaze me and show Australians what I thought they were taking for granted.
Life’s unexpected twists can lead us to places we never imagined. Her journey to Australia shows that even in moments of uncertainty, new opportunities for personal and professional growth can arise. HOW HAS YOUR ART EVOLVED SINCE YOU ARRIVED HERE?
We met a Chilean birdwatcher who introduced us to Birding NSW, and everything started to take shape from there. We joined the bird club, began having exhibitions, were granted a residency at the Australian Design Centre, and received incredible opportunities to grow with the City of Sydney. We were selected as one of the artists for the first round of the Creative Hoardings program, seeing our work on a scale we’d never experienced before. The scientific community began approaching our studio, asking for help to highlight specific animals, knowing our work had a high level of community engagement. We’ve worked on design, illustration, animation, large-scale projections, sculptures, and augmented reality, creating characters that walk the fine line between art and design.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PURPOSES OF YOUR WORKS?
Our portfolio includes extensive collaborations with prominent entities, including the City of Sydney, the City of Melbourne, the City Renewal Authority, Sydney Olympic Park, and iconic locations like Bondi Beach, where our art has transformed urban landscapes into vibrant tributes to wildlife and environmental care. In 2019, we were recognized by the Sydney Opera House for artistic excellence, winning their Uncovered program in the Art, Prints, and Photography category. This further solidified our role as leaders at the intersection of art, conservation, and community engagement.
It’s incredible to see how the connection to Australian nature has been a catalyst for artistic evolution, allowing the artist to spread her conservation message to a wider audience through various media and collaborations. Her projects have significantly impacted not only the art community but also the scientific realm, reinforcing the importance of the intersection between art and environmental awareness.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECENT PROJECTS. IS THERE A PARTICULAR PIECE THAT HAS MARKED YOU MORE THAN OTHERS?
In 2020, we began a co-funded research project with Dr. Kate Umbers from Western Sydney University School of Science to scientifically quantify the impact of art on conservation. By 2023, our work reached new heights with prestigious commissions, including illuminating the Australian Parliament House with a conservation message for legislators and visitors alike. A few months later, our work was selected to light up the four pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Vivid Sydney 2023, amplifying our message of conservation.
We’ve also expanded our work internationally, and in 2024, we won the ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards in the Creative Industries category.
In a particularly significant moment, in 2023 we were invited to collaborate with one of the artists who has most inspired my work, Shepard Fairey, one of the most influential street artists of our time. This collaboration came about through a meeting with Randall Poster, music supervisor for Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese, and we all worked together on a special project for The Birdsong Project, which directly supported the work of the National Audubon Society in the U.S.
One of our favorite projects is an installation we did in collaboration with a public school and the entire community of Caragabal, a rural town in New South Wales. Chris and I join our bird club twice a year to monitor important areas for biodiversity and have really gotten to know this amazing community. The school children selected their favorite local species and presented them to their class, then chose 18 species to feature on a mural right outside their school, at a highly visible intersection on the Western Highway. This installation has become the town’s local emblem and a piece that fills them with pride for where they live. It teaches others about the incredible species that inhabit the area and creates a strong sense of care for these animals. When you visit Caragabal, you will find these amazing species, along with some truly incredible humans who work to protect them.
The artist’s work is not only full of meaning but also invites the community to actively participate in wildlife preservation. Projects like the Caragabal mural have not only beautified urban spaces but also promoted a greater sense of responsibility towards nature among the local residents. Each piece is more than art: it is a call to action.
WHAT PIECES WILL YOU BE PRESENTING IN THIS EXHIBITION, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THEM? IS THERE A STORY BEHIND ANY OF THE PIECES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
The body of work presented in this exhibition is deeply inspired by the places that shaped my early life and the cultural experiences that continue to influence my artistic perspective in Australia. As a Chilean artist, I see the world through a different lens, one that is tinged with nostalgia for the landscapes and memories of my homeland. This collection reflects my journey from Chile to Australia, capturing the interaction between my heritage and my current surroundings. Each piece in the exhibition is a tribute to the vibrant yet distant world of my youth, merging the colors, textures, and emotions of Chile with the dynamic influences of Australian landscapes. Through this work, I explore the contrast between what was left behind and what is now, aiming to unite these worlds and bring a part of my Chilean identity back into the conversation. The exhibition not only showcases my artistic evolution but is also a heartfelt reflection on my personal narrative and a celebration of the cultural intersections that define my creative practice.
LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CAREER, WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST?
A particularly special moment for me was being invited to illuminate the Australian Parliament. This opportunity was significant not only because it involved one of Australia’s most iconic buildings but also because it represented the scale and impact I had always envisioned for my message. The Parliament was the perfect canvas to convey the importance of the issues we address, reaching an audience with considerable influence over Australia’s future. This experience was deeply meaningful, as it allowed me to interact directly with those who hold important power in shaping the country’s future. It was a crucial and profoundly important moment in my career.
HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE ART SCENE HERE COMPARED TO CHILE?
There are some significant differences between the art scenes in Australia and Chile. In Australia, the art scene is notably diverse and multicultural, reflecting a wide range of influences and styles due to its varied population. This diversity leads to a rich variety of artistic expressions and a greater openness to experimenting with different forms and media. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on art installations and projects that involve the community and transform urban spaces. In contrast, while community involvement in art also exists in Chile, there is often a greater focus on art within galleries and more formal spaces. Finally, the resources and institutional support for the arts in Australia tend to be more accessible, with a variety of funding programs and opportunities for emerging artists.
WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT PROJECTS OR GOALS IN YOUR ARTISTIC CAREER?
In North America, we are expanding the licensing of our work in the U.S. for products that are approved by scientists and directly benefit the work of the National Audubon Society.
Currently, I devote a significant amount of my time to bringing our work to Chile and collaborating with notable conservation organizations. We have met an incredible group of people who are deeply committed to wildlife and who also recognize the value that art can bring through engagement and scientific communication. One of our most exciting projects involves working with the Jane Goodall Institute in Chile, where we are preparing for Chilean Wildlife Day with our first animated projection in Chile.
That’s my main goal now, to bring my work back home.
WHAT DOES PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXHIBITION MEAN TO YOU?
Being part of this exhibition is deeply important to me. It provides an opportunity to share my own story and create a space for other Chileans who have made Australia their home. As creatives who didn’t grow up here, we bring a unique perspective that can foster innovation and enrich the narrative. This exhibition allows me to contribute my ideas and cultural experiences, highlighting the diverse voices and stories that shape our shared environment. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the intersections of different backgrounds and show how these diverse perspectives can contribute to a richer and more dynamic artistic dialogue.
The exhibition is not just a celebration of her art but also of her bicultural identity. Through her work, the artist has managed to convey a collective story that resonates both with the Chilean community in Australia and with the general public. Her work becomes a bridge that connects cultures and experiences, showing how art can be a powerful tool for bringing people together.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO CONNECT WITH THE CHILEAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH ART?
Through creating and exhibiting art that reflects our collective experiences, struggles, and triumphs, we honor both our individual and shared stories. This process not only builds a sense of unity and belonging within the community but also creates a supportive environment where we can be there for each other as we navigate our journey of adaptation and growth.
Coming together as a collective of Chilean artists helps ease the homesickness that often comes with living far from home. It provides a comforting reminder of our roots and traditions, bridging the gap between our past and present. By finding comfort in the familiarity of our cultural expressions while embracing new experiences, we create a sense of belonging and continuity in our adopted environment.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING PART OF THESE GATHERINGS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR FURTHER ENRICHING THIS CHILEAN-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY?
Absolutely! Any opportunity to surround myself with amazing Chilean creatives! In November, we’ll be celebrating Chilean Wildlife Day in Canberra. It would be amazing to see more people join the event to promote and celebrate our country and its incredible nature.
After learning the story of this talented artist, it’s evident that her work not only beautifies the spaces it touches but also invites reflection on our role in nature conservation. If you’ve been inspired by her art and words, we invite you to follow her journey and be part of this artistic and ecological conversation. You can connect with her through her social media @eggpicnic and join her mission to create a more conscious and committed world for the environment.
Moreover, don’t miss the chance to see her in action at the upcoming Chile Sentido Exhibition, where she will be participating alongside other distinguished Chilean artists. This event will be a celebration of Chilean roots, culture, and creativity in Australia. We invite you to immerse yourself in this unique experience, get a closer look at her work, and connect with her message of conservation and diversity. We look forward to seeing you there!
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