Image above: Graham Badari, Kardabaibai (Darter) catching Manmakkawarri (Catfish) at the Kulabbarl (Billabong), Kurraguyangguyang (Jacana) on Mandem (Lilypads). 2018, ochre on arches paper. Photo: copyright the artist.
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Image below: Kate Goring-Smith, Eastern Curlew, Westernport Icon: I am my habitat. 2021, linocut on ecoprint; presented on 18 sheets of paper, tabbed and numbered.
BIRD
Birds are the easiest wild animals to see. They are beautiful. We often look to them to represent our dreams of flight and freedom. They carry the weight of our longing effortlessly, and grace our skies and days with their songs and elegance.
Birds are also bio-indicators, meaning that their decline flags the general degradation of the environment. Birds are the literal ‘canaries in the coalmine’. Currently one in six Australian birds is already threatened (and more than one in eight worldwide) and this number is predicted to rise as the anthropogenic climate crisis worsens.
Humans evolved with birds and our health, wellbeing and ultimate survival is profoundly tied to theirs. Research shows that even just hearing birds improves human mental health. Protecting birds and their specific habitats is as urgent and vital for us as it obviously is for them.
BIRD was a celebration of all birdlife. The exhibition celebrated the richness of these feathered denizens of the air manifest, while encouraging urgent action to protect them from Climate Emergency impacts.
Artists
Graham Badari, Alexis Beckett, The Bowerbird Collective, Beth Croce, Kate Gorringe-Smith, Heather Hesterman, Eugenia Lim, Lucille Martin, Jenny McCracken, Rachel Mounsey, Perdita Phillips, David Stewart, Mervyn Street, Dominic White and the Artists of the Wall of Wings.
Creative Producer, Kate Gorringe-Smith.
Exhibition Details
Where: CLIMARTE Gallery, 120 Bridge Rd, Richmond
When: 8 February – 11 March 2023
Public Events
BIRD Opening Event – 8 February 2023
BIRD was opened at CLIMARTE Gallery by Sean Dooley – BirdLife Australia’s National Public Affairs Manager and author of Bird Count.
BIRD I: Artist Talk and Public Discussion – 11 February 2023
BIRD’s creative producer and artist, Kate Gorringe-Smith, joined with participating artists, Rachel Mousey and Lucille Martin, to talk about their art practice and the numerous processes that inform their work.
For more information and event details, click here
BIRD II: Artist Talk and Public Discussion – 4 March 2023
BIRD’s creative producer and artist, Kate Gorringe-Smith, joined participating artists, Alexis Beckett and Dominic White, for a discussion about their art works and sources of inspiration.
For more information and event details, click here
Watch video walk through of BIRD, click here
BIRD was honoured to be included in the National Sustainable Living Festival 2023 program.
BIRD Opening Event
Photographed by Julian Meehan.
