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Dinosaurs Overrun a World Post Climate Disaster in Michael Kerbow’s Paintings

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20 Jan, 2025

This post was originally published on Colossal

After ending another year of record-breaking climate statistics, we stand at the precipice of 2025, which has already revealed its own devastating challenges. As the window for meaningful change continues to narrow during the next several years, we’re left to wonder what the world might look like if we stay on this path. Through the lens of hyper-consumerism, San Francisco-based artist Michael Kerbow (previously) envisions the future in his wry and imaginative landscape paintings.

Swarming decayed gas station roofs, perching atop abandoned vehicles in forests, and sauntering past crumbling highways and fast food joints, the dinosaurs in Kerbow’s paintings govern a world overrun by the effects of late-stage capitalism. Hints of climate devastation reveal themselves through small details in the background, such as volcano eruptions, dense, hazy skies, and pools of floodwater.

a Brachiosaurus stands inbetween two sides of a crumbled and abandoned highway
“Bypass”

Kerbow scatters familiar signage and advertisements from recognizable chains within his scenes to introduce humor and make his work more approachable. However, the artist emphasizes the gravity of the issue at hand:

We like to believe everything we currently have will always be there for us, but I suspect it could just as easily fall apart and slip away.  I try to stay optimistic about the future, but the truth is I am troubled by where I see things appear to be headed, specifically with the health of our ecosystem. Each passing year seems to bring more alarming statistics, and this comfortable place we call home seems to grow more precarious.  It is sobering to consider my artwork as foreshadowing a future reality.

As Kerbow continues to make new paintings, you can follow along on Instagram and see his website for more.

Pterodactyls swarm the crumbling roof of an abandoned Chevron gas station
“Adaptive Reuse”
Four Dimetrodons explore the area outside of an abandoned McDonald's restaurant
“Vestige (Golden Arches)”
a long-necked dinosaur stands in the parking lot in front of an abandoned Sears
“Black Monday”
Three Brachiosauruses stand next to skyscrapers in an abandoned city, where water levels have risen above some structures
“Highwater”
A Dimetrodon perches atop an abandoned vehicle in a green, mossy forest
“Glade”
a pair of Triceratops stand in the parking lot in front of an abandoned K-Mart
“Economic Decline”
“Siren Song”
A cityscape of buildings growing upward, almost as if stacked onto each other
“Shadowplay”
a landscape painting of a late capitalistic world with a decrepit billboard and crumbled highway in the background. a Triceratops stands uncomfortably in a pool of water surrounded by thousands of plastic bottles.
“Oasis”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Dinosaurs Overrun a World Post Climate Disaster in Michael Kerbow’s Paintings appeared first on Colossal.

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Australasian Waste Recycling Expo debuts as ReGen at ICC

Australasian Waste Recycling Expo debuts as ReGen at ICC

Australia’s circular resource exhibitors, buyers and thought leaders are set to attend ReGen | Australia’s Circular Resource Expo, taking place on 23–24 July 2025 at ICC Sydney.

The two-day trade event, organised by Diversified Australia, marks the evolution of what was previously known as the Australasian Waste Recycling Expo, a longstanding brand dedicated to resource management and waste reduction for over 15 years.

The rebrand to ReGen reflects the expo’s expanded scope and emphasis on the circular economy, welcoming an array of innovative exhibitors, experts and emerging professionals committed to reducing waste, promoting resource efficiency and fostering sustainable markets.

“At Diversified Australia, we’re proud to produce events that drive positive industry change,” said Ali Lawes, event director for ReGen at Diversified.

“ReGen embodies our commitment to equip and empower industry leaders and practitioners in support of Australia’s ambitious 2035 targets for waste elimination, resource circulation, and pollution reduction.”

ReGen will showcase technical displays, offer vital industry insights and feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

The program aims to help attendees — from seasoned experts to newcomers — navigate their roles in creating a circular economy that keeps resources in use, minimises waste and regenerates natural systems.

As part of its evolution, ReGen will incorporate Circularity, Australia’s original circular economy conference, into its 2025 education program.

Since its launch in 2022, Circularity has served as a platform for industry practitioners to discuss Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

Now integrated into ReGen, Circularity will reach a broader audience, offering free sessions on topics such as circular product design and sustainable waste management — ensuring these critical insights remain accessible to all attendees.

For the last three years Circularity has been proudly presented by Planet Ark’s Australian Circular Economy Hub in partnership with Diversified Australia.

Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling said that integrating the country’s leading circular economy event into ReGen would offer even more impactful opportunities to drive Australia’s circular transition.

“The inclusion of Circularity into ReGen is a significant step forward in promoting circular economy principles on a national scale in collaboration with the waste and recycling industry,” Gilling said.

“At Planet Ark, we are thrilled to see Circularity evolve into a broader platform, ensuring critical conversations about sustainable resource management and circular product design reach more professionals and innovators than ever before. This partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in building a circular Australia.”

The expo’s name, ReGen, represents both the regenerative practices it champions and the generational transformation required to meet sustainability goals.

ReGen invites participants to “Rethink, Redesign, Repurpose, and Renew” as they contribute to a circular and sustainable future for Australia.

For more information and to register, visit regenexpo.com.au

Image credit: iStock.com/izusek

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