As an artist in a world increasingly fraught with environmental challenges I am engaging in new avenues to try and express my concern and raise awareness. Yesterday, I did just this by attending the Queensland University of Technology’s Samford Ecological Research Facility (SERF), located just north of Brisbane, Queensland. For some time I have been digging a little more deeply about the pressing issues of deforestation, endangered and extinct species, and the state of my local environment. I have begun to seek an understanding about the intricacies of these topics and how they intersect with my artistic vision.
With two other artists, I attended a joint event hosted by SERF and TERN Australia (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Infrastructure). The event was to officially open their ‘Engaging Science Trail’ and present a diverse group of nature lovers with aa series of talks about on ongoing projects.
The trail led us passed a number of locations where scientists are collecting data about a number of environmental issues. From birds, to carbon and atmosphere observations, bee and insect monitoring, and even acoustic harvesting, the day was engaging learning about the ecosystem. From studying the impact of climate change on local flora and fauna to exploring innovative solutions for sustainable land management, the breadth of research was fuelling for my inspiration.
As an artist, I hope to some how weave these scientific findings into my creative practice. It’s all about a collective effort of sharing knowledge so we can work towards a more sustainable future.