I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected as a finalist in the North Sydney Art Prize for my work “Seeds of Hope”. A series of them will be installed in the Casuarina grove near the bottom tunnel.
One Sunday I watched (and listened) to small black cockatoos very cleverly eat virtually every nut on a casuarina tree. It took them entire day and they paid no notice to the human standing in awe under them. This led me to undertake research on the birds to understand the species as well as their habitat, and why they were such dedicated munchers of the nuts on this particular tree.
Listed as endangered species, the glossy black cockatoos feed almost exclusively on the seeds of the she-oak cones (Casuarina and Allocasuarina). Humans have had a devastating impact on this beautiful bird species. Their main food source has been decimated due to land clearing for development and farming as well as impacted by human induced climate change.
Due to dedicated revegetation projects by farming groups, government agencies and environmental bodies – humans are working to undo their impact on this species by planting more she-oaks. It’s starting to make a difference, with more sightings reported. This gives me hope – for the glossies as well as humans.
The ‘Seeds of Hope’ sculptures are a representation of the seeds of the she-oak cone using recycled electrical copper.
The North Sydney Art Prize is a major biennial arts event showcasing some of the best in contemporary art from across Australia. This year’s exhibition features over 110 artworks to be displayed across the grounds of the historic Coal Loader site. The 2022 curatorial theme encourages artists to consider the overarching principles of the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability. In response to the curatorial theme, selected artworks explore sustainability and the environment with many addressing the impacts of climate change and consumerism, as well as responding to the inspiring natural and industrial elements of the site and surrounds.
Exhibition 14 – 29 May 2022 Open Daily 10am-4pm
Venue Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
More information: www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/artprize
Congratulations, your ‘seeds’ are wonderful.