Banjo, Revisited

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC’S launch cover image has been reimagined as a symbol of conservation for our 150th celebration issue by contemporary Australian conservation wildlife artist Nathan Ferlazzo.

TRADITIONAL NATURAL HISTORY illustration – that fusion of close observation, anatomical understanding and artistic flair combined with a leap of the imagination – exquisitely captures the beauty and truth of our unique flora and fauna. Australian Geographic has employed this form of creative expression to help communicate the wonders of nature ever since we placed ‘Banjo’ the platypus on the cover of our launch issue in January 1987.

The late Rod Scott who created the original Banjo went on to illustrate many subsequent covers along with other talented artists such as Kevin Stead, Tony Oliver and Ego Guiotto. Their beautiful illustrated wildlife covers of native Australian species became the hallmark of Australian Geographic’s first 20 or so years.

For our 150th edition, we decided to revisit Banjo through the sharp eye of one of a new breed of illustrators, whose art captures the collective imagination in a similar way that the photorealistic work of those artists did back in the late 20th century.