23 Apr 2026
INDIGENOUS ARTIST BEAU PENNEFATHER-MOTLOP: "USING MY TALENT TO PROTECT OCEANS IS MY HONOUR AND RESPONSIBILITY"
For many artists, the oceans are a lifelong muse, or in the case of Katsushika Hokusai, an inspiration for their most well-known work.
For Indigenous Australian artist Beau Pennefather‑Motlop, the ocean is Saltwater Country - a very special place interconnected with land and sky. For over 20 years, Beau has been drawn to artistically depicting this living system that holds story, lore, memory and responsibility.
Through his digital artworks, Beau expresses a deep curiosity and love of ocean species like whales, turtles, sharks, rays and dugongs. These works not only serve as expressions of culture and creativity, they are very personal reminders of what it means to care for the oceans that care for us.
As part of WWF‑Australia’s call to give marine animals a safer ocean home, Beau yarns with us to shine a light on the cultural significance of ocean life, and on the responsibility all of us share to protect Saltwater Country so it can continue to sustain wildlife, culture and communities.
Growing up on Saltwater Country
Beau is a Jirrbal (Aboriginal), Wagedoegam (Torres Strait Islander) and Ngāpuhi (Maori) man with strong connections to Gimuy (Cairns) and the surrounding seas of Far North Queensland.
“We've got two islands up here on the Great Barrier Reef called Fitzroy and Green Island”, Beau shares. “When you're out in the reef and you're surrounded by manta rays and giant trevallies, you get very humbled real quick.”
His cultural heritage spans Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Aotearoa Māori lineages, shaping his unique and deep relationship with the ocean.
“I’ve always connected with water,” Beau says. “Even when it's raining, I'll just sit there and just watch the rain or listen to it. Or usually if it's raining, I'll go in the pool. So there's like double water! Any body of water. It must go back a long way.”
For Saltwater Peoples, oceans have nourished families and communities for thousands of generations. They are places of food, navigation and Knowledge, where stories, songlines and seasonal indicators continue beneath the surface.
“If you've spent that much time with an animal for generations there's a connection there that is really hard to articulate”, Beau shares. “The word I think of is coevolve. Saltwater mob’s relationship with ocean species evolved symbiotically over thousands and thousands of years”.
That understanding sits at the heart of Caring on Country: recognising that land, sea and sky are connected, and that their health and success are deeply intertwined.
Art as a way of carrying responsibility
“I could always draw even from a very young age”, Beau shares. “I'd be drawing trucks and horses and all kinds of things. Everyone would always ask me to draw stuff, even adults when I was really young. Then I won an art competition early on in primary school where I drew the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars randomly”.
Beau began accelerating his art practice around 2006, working across pencil, pastel and paint before moving primarily into digital art. While mediums have evolved, the origins of his creativity go back generations.
“My Nana was a prolific artist in New Zealand”, Beau reveals. “She told me that she gave me her talent, so I've just always trusted that and been creative. Somewhere along the line it turned into creating sort of awareness for the stuff going on around the world”.
Beau’s culturally-guided expression is clearly visible as a throughline across his artwork. “My motifs and circular patterns come from my three Indigenous heritages,” he explains. “They’re about connection.” His connection to one ocean species is strongest, and a way he explores his Ngāpuhi connections.
“My favourite oceans species is definitely the orca. It's the intelligence of the animal. It's how they move in packs. It's the size and strength and agility. I've just recently been learning about its cultural significance in New Zealand to my grandmother on my father's side's people (Ngapuhi). And how they reflect the God of the sea over there. Apparently the God of the sea rides the orcas. There's something about that. I don't know what it's the sleek black lines or something else but the orca's been my favourite since I was very small.”
Jirrbal, Wagedoegam (Torres Strait Islander) and Ngāpuhi artist
Beau’s ocean species artworks are layered with detail. Featuring intricate linework, repeating forms and flowing patterns, they are designed to encourage feelings of calmness in the viewer. This balance reflects how Indigenous Knowledge is shared: some things are shown, others are held quietly, passed on through story and practice.
For Beau, art is a way of carrying responsibility for animals, culture, Country, and for future generations.
Ocean species as kin, teachers and protectors
Across Beau’s work, ocean animals are represented artistically as kin - each with cultural roles, stories and responsibilities that guide how people relate to Saltwater Country. After years of creative collaboration with WWF-Australia, he looks back on some favourite works and the special stories behind them.
Humpback whale - Mugga Mugga (Woppaburra)
According to Beau, this iconic portrait of the humpback whale shows how the behaviour of ocean and sky animals can signal what’s happening on land and vice versa. “When the Green ants build a long torpedo shaped nest (full of the queens) it signifies whether or not a tropical cyclone is coming to your area. Also, the Seven Sisters constellation tells East Coast mob when whales are migrating past their Country”, Beau reveals.
The background circular patterns represent protective spirits for the whales whilst on their journeys. As totems for many language groups, whales represent family and kinship bonds and guardianship.
Want to learn more and show your love for whales? Dress up your screen devices with these very special Indigenous whale art wallpapers from Jirrbal, Wagedoegam, Ngapuhi & Scottish artist Beau Pennefather-Motlop and WWF-Australia.
“Patterns within the whales are representing important knowledge and nature indicators that were vital for our Ancestors. Sun and moon, tidal changes, seasonal weather cycles, ocean currents. Also, weaving and linking patterns for strength and resilience.”
Jirrbal, Wagedoegam (Torres Strait Islander) and Ngāpuhi artist
To see the popularity of this particular design grow has been very heartwarming for Beau.
“It’s a dream of mine", Beau says. "I feel very honoured. It's an amazing thing to be working with you guys on this and and everything I have worked on with WWF-Australia. I’m glad that my artwork is in a place to create that sort of awareness about the importance of protecting ocean life. And I'll keep making art to keep spreading that message.”
Want to learn more about the cultural significance of whales?
Hammerhead shark - Kuursi (Kalaw Lagaw Ya (Western Torres Strait))
In Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, the hammerhead shark holds deep cultural significance. Known as Kuursi in Kalaw Lagaw Ya (Western Torres Strait), the hammerhead is often regarded as a powerful presence within Saltwater Country.
“Up here, a lot of mob see the hammerhead as the king of the ocean,” Beau explains.
The patterns in Beau’s hammerhead artwork reflect currents, weather and movement, acknowledging the shark’s role within a broader living system. It reflects that apex species like the Kuursi (hammerhead shark) help keep oceans healthy, and that protecting them is part of caring for the oceans as a whole.
Green sea turtle - Bajigal (Jirrbal)
The green sea turtle, known as Bajigal in Jirrbal language and Waru in Torres Strait languages, is widely recognised as a holder of Knowledge by many Indigenous language groups.
“Turtles are knowledge holders for Sky Country,” Beau says, reflecting on the use of constellation patterns in the design. “At the time I did this artwork I honestly didn't know that. Those constellation patterns on his face were just what I felt like putting there.”
After learning that turtle shells align with lunar cycles, Beau began including moon imagery in his turtle artworks, reflecting the deep connection between this beloved ocean species, Sky Country and seasonal change.
Beau understands when turtles thrive, it tells us something about the health of Saltwater Country. When they struggle, it’s a warning that something is out of balance.
Dugong - Dhangal (Torres Strait (ZENADTH KES))
The dugong, or Dhangal, is closely tied to seagrass meadows and coastal ecosystems. In many Saltwater communities, dugongs are respected as gentle beings that require careful stewardship.
“They’re just a heartwarming species”, says Beau. “That's I guess what I was trying to capture those warm vibes they give me especially through the look on his face. Along with their cultural significance, of course. When I see them, I just can't help but smile.”
Beau’s dugong artwork reflects both affection and responsibility, a reminder that protecting dugongs means protecting the seagrass Country they depend on.
Love these beautiful artworks and want to look at them every day?
In celebration of WWF-Australia shining a spotlight on the protection of these culturally significant creatures, you can show your love for sacred ocean species with these very special Indigenous art wallpapers from Jirrbal, Wagedoegam, Ngapuhi & Scottish artist Beau Pennefather-Motlop and WWF-Australia. Each wallpaper showcases a Traditional name for the species. Download and display them on your desktop, mobile and tablet today!
Totems, obligation and care
For many Indigenous language groups, caring for totemic species are a cultural obligation going back generations. When your totem is an ocean species, the answer of how to approach this is clear.
“The responsibility of having a totem is to take care of that animal in its environment,” Beau explains. “The ocean covers over 70 percent of the Earth. I know there's a lot of Knowledge around how animals in the ocean connect to stuff happening on land.”
Caring for Saltwater Country means protecting the places and species that have sustained communities for thousands of years, not taking more than what is given.
It’s a principle that underpins Indigenous‑led conservation, and one that guides WWF‑Australia’s Regenerative Saltwater work: listening to First Nations Knowledge and supporting community‑led care for oceans and marine life.
Caring for Saltwater Country starts with protecting ocean life
For Beau, caring for oceans is inseparable from caring for Country.
“The songlines don’t end at the water’s edge. They go straight through it. If things are messed up down there, then things are messed up up here as well.”
Across Australia, Saltwater Country is under pressure, from climate change, pollution, overfishing and industrial activity. When ocean life is harmed, it’s not just wildlife that suffers, but the cultures, communities and knowledge systems that have depended on healthy oceans for thousands of generations.
WWF‑Australia is working alongside First Nations Knowledge Holders, scientists and coastal communities to protect the oceans that care for us - helping create safe places and pathways where ocean life can thrive.
Add your name to our submission calling on the Australian Government to create and strengthen marine sanctuaries.