THE ARK OF EXTINCTION

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The Ark of Extinction is a mural-led public art initiative by Marc Craig that aims to highlight endangered species through large-scale artworks placed directly within local communities. Each mural is site-specific, designed to reflect not just the species depicted but also the social and ecological context of the area. The project combines creative practice with conservation awareness, working in partnership with schools, wildlife organisations, and local councils to create spaces for reflection, education, and engagement.

The first mural, completed in Redruth, Cornwall, focused on the red squirrel—a species once widespread across the UK but now largely confined to isolated regions. Painted in the heart of the town centre, the mural was supported by a programme of school workshops and community activity that encouraged people of all ages to consider the ecological history of their region and the changing status of native wildlife.

In March 2025, the second mural was created at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in Belfast, featuring a barn owl. The work was prompted by the death of a local owl—nicknamed Patricia—who was found on a nearby road, a stark reminder of the risks these birds face in increasingly urbanised environments. The mural, developed with support from Ulster Wildlife, honours her story while drawing attention to the declining presence of barn owls in Northern Ireland.

Each wall in The Ark of Extinction serves as a visual marker of species decline, but also as a hopeful reminder of the power of collective action. As the project expands, it seeks to build a network of murals across the UK and beyond—creating a public archive of vulnerable species and the communities choosing to remember them.