Art & DesignMAY 12, 2020

I Created A Comic Strip Based On The Two Widowed Fairy Penguins Photograph That Went Viral

Like everyone, I fell in love with the Fairy penguins photos taken by wildlife photographer Tobias Baumgaertner.

The photo, which depicts two widowed Fairy penguins hugging and comforting one another while overlooking the Melbourne skyline, inspired me to create a comic based on these lovable animals.

Baumgaertner posted the photo on Instagram, and wrote about the story behind it in his caption.

“These two Fairy penguins poised upon a rock overlooking the Melbourne skyline were standing there for hours, flipper in flipper, watching the sparkling lights of the skyline and ocean. A volunteer approached me and told me that the white one was an elderly lady who had lost her partner and apparently so did the younger male to the left. Since then they meet regularly comforting each other and standing together for hours watching the dancing lights of the nearby city.”

With that, I reimagined the story of what the penguins would be thinking during their meet-ups in the comic. It also serves as a reminder to stay grateful for the people around us and appreciate everything that you have in these trying times.

More info: Instagram