The Koala and the Tree:
What’s in a name?

Let’s face it: koalas are cute. With their thick fur coats, big, fluffy ears, and gentle, slightly dazed expression, it is a no-brainer to put them on a logo. So, are you in it for the clicks, the likes, and the hearts? Maybe, but hear me out.

A koala makes its way through up to 1.3kg of eucalyptus every day. While this sounds like an impressive amount of greens, it gives the koala only very little energy and comes with the draining task of detoxifying the harmful compounds of the leaves. How does our little furry friend cope with its battery almost always running on empty? It grips its tree of choice with its claws and paws and tightly wraps its limbs around the branch to embark on 18 to 22 relaxing hours of sleep every day. The tree provides the koala not only with a bed to rest its head on, but also with shelter from predators on the ground.

When we see the world go up in flames in front of our eyes, we may instinctively stay in the burning house, wave away concerns of our loved ones and utter a casual “This is fine“. To me, the image of the koala and the tree symbolizes taking a step away from having to be okay and doing everything on our own, a step towards taking our masks off and welcoming support. Everyone can be a koala and a tree at the same time – a person allowing themselves to be vulnerable and a shoulder to lean on for a friend in need. Art provides a source of solace, a tree with its roots firmly planted in the ground that can give you shelter and room to feel what words cannot express. Take the example of the koala and its slow, careful movements to explore it at your own pace.