As our migratory shorebirds depart for their Arctic breeding grounds, the Flyways exhibition opens to celebrate their extraordinary journey.
By Ursula Theinert
LAST year ArtSpace Wonthaggi hosted a series of workshops called ‘Across the Waters’ that celebrated the migratory birds of Western Port.
As many as five million shorebirds from 36 species arrive on our shores annually after making the epic 12,500km trip from their Arctic breeding grounds. The route they follow is called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and it passes through 23 countries. For many of these birds, the mudflats and beaches of Western Port/Warn Marin are home from October till May.
LAST year ArtSpace Wonthaggi hosted a series of workshops called ‘Across the Waters’ that celebrated the migratory birds of Western Port.
As many as five million shorebirds from 36 species arrive on our shores annually after making the epic 12,500km trip from their Arctic breeding grounds. The route they follow is called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and it passes through 23 countries. For many of these birds, the mudflats and beaches of Western Port/Warn Marin are home from October till May.
The project culminated in a final deep listening circle and an exhibition highlighting the birds that visit our shores every year, along with other native animals and plants that reflect the habitat and great diversity of this unique ecosystem.
It looked stunning – unfortunately it only lasted for one day before the poor artists had to take it down and pack it all away.
At ArtSpace we thought that was not fair so we have invited the project co-ordinator Dr Laura Brearley and the four principal artists, Kate Gorringe-Smith, Susan Hall, Karen Neal and Marj Reni, to bring the exhibition back for a longer showing.
We are proud to present Flyways: Ocean Message, an exhibition featuring their stunning prints, painting and ceramic pieces, displayed alongside the Wall of Wings, an installation of bird prints created by many people from diverse communities around the bay, including members of the ArtSpace Wonthaggi community and Bass Coast Adult Learning Centre students.
It looked stunning – unfortunately it only lasted for one day before the poor artists had to take it down and pack it all away.
At ArtSpace we thought that was not fair so we have invited the project co-ordinator Dr Laura Brearley and the four principal artists, Kate Gorringe-Smith, Susan Hall, Karen Neal and Marj Reni, to bring the exhibition back for a longer showing.
We are proud to present Flyways: Ocean Message, an exhibition featuring their stunning prints, painting and ceramic pieces, displayed alongside the Wall of Wings, an installation of bird prints created by many people from diverse communities around the bay, including members of the ArtSpace Wonthaggi community and Bass Coast Adult Learning Centre students.
ArtSpace Wonthaggi is thrilled to host Flyways, because we believe in the importance of the project. We want to offer more people the chance to see the creativity, respect and love for the environment that were expressed in our community and by overseas artists during this project.
We hope Flyways will inspire visitors to learn more about these amazing birds and their habitat. Please come along and experience this magical exhibition – and bring your children and/or grandchildren. They will be mesmerized and intrigued too.
Flyways: Ocean Messages Exhibition, ArtSpace Gallery Wonthaggi, until June 8. Open daily 11am-3pm. Meet the artists at the opening celebration on Sunday 25 May 1-3pm. All welcome.
We hope Flyways will inspire visitors to learn more about these amazing birds and their habitat. Please come along and experience this magical exhibition – and bring your children and/or grandchildren. They will be mesmerized and intrigued too.
Flyways: Ocean Messages Exhibition, ArtSpace Gallery Wonthaggi, until June 8. Open daily 11am-3pm. Meet the artists at the opening celebration on Sunday 25 May 1-3pm. All welcome.