Artistic Demonstration of the California Wildfires | Alternative Fruit October 19th, 2017

Coming to terms with tragedy is difficult for anybody. When we encounter an ordeal, sadness, and difficult times, the emotions we feel can be intense and complicated. At the time, because we are needed and required to remain focussed, we can find ways of suppressing what we feel. This is survival, and in the short term is very well and good. We stand a much better chance if we can put our emotions to one side during hardship. However, there comes a point when it becomes unhealthy to not recognise how we feel. The memories of an event are attached to these feelings, that if we do not acknowledge and work through, can manifest in uncharacteristic behaviours.


The recent wildfires in California are an example of such hardships. People have lost everything, some have lost their lives. Many have been forced to relocate and leave all they know and love behind. Staying on the ball and remaining focussed and calm during the evacuations and rescue situations is of course the best way to conduct oneself, however, finding the space to express it is also essential. Art allows us to do this, and it also allows us to communicate and document the human perspective of serious events.


A blogger and artist has taken the time to express their story of the North California wildfires in the form of a comic strip. With humble yet exceptionally well drawn frames, the story of the unfolding night and aftermath is portrayed in easy to understand and empathetical sections. Brian, the author of the Fire Story, admits that his utensils were not of the highest standard, and due to the circumstances, the work took much less time than could usually be expected. This doesn't put a dint on the value of the work, however, and in fact allows the unprocessed and raw experience to be communicated with as few filters as possible.

​Read the Fire Story on BrianFiles here
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