WHATS ON

APRIL

The Art & Craft of Nests

2nd April – 1st May 2023 at MiRa

The Art & Craft of Nests explores the tenacity, determination, skill and ingenuity of birds to craft and curate. Artist Zora Verona emulates a birds methodology in collecting nesting materials by foraging locally for fauna, flora and found objects, re-envisioning nests that are held in natural history collections worldwide. This exhibition of sustainable contemporary art works explores the complexity of nest forms honouring birds as artist and architect. It is an invitation to awaken an understanding that every bird species is worthy of our wonder, awe and most importantly our protection.

Zora’s “Artist in Residence”

Sunday 2 April: Zora Verona Artist in residence 10 – 4pm , Artist talks  11am & 2pm.

Monday 10 April (Easter Monday) : Artist in residence for the day 10 – 4pm,   Artist talks 11am & 2pm.

Saturday 22 April: Artist in residence for the day 10 – 4pm, Artist talk times of 11am & 2pm

MAY

Little Battlers

6th May – 31st May 2023 at MiRa

An exhibition by Kate Taylor of Valleywise Fibre Art.

“As a wildlife artist I am drawn to the life around me.  But when you stop and think about that life, you often realise that these creatures are battlers, survivors of a world that is not quite what it was.  Some have done so well at adapting to what should have been almost impossible to survive but actually lead to multiplying in numbers, that we now see, as at best, a nuisance.  Take the Australian Ibis (tip turkey)almost everyone recognises them as the large ugly bird that hangs around our tips and garbage bins. But we taught them that our garbage is food.  We filled their wetlands with landfill and instead of their numbers diminishing from lack of natural habitat they battled on and survived, in fact, they thrived.  Our sulphur crested cockatoos, prime example of an opportunist and survivor, found that the seeds we sow were indeed very tasty so they thrived. Magpies, whose beautiful song wakes you at all times of the day and night, have to a large degree learnt that we are handy creatures who dig up the soil and expose scrumptious grubs and worms. Then we call them all sorts of nasty names in spring when they perceive strangers as a threat to their young growing families.

This exhibition is dedicated to our “Little Battler” who, despite the odds, survive, some thrive, some just battle on. But they’re still here.

I would like to think that my work will inspire the viewer to looking beyond the ugly, noisy, destructive perceptions of these creatures and see the

“Little Battlers” that are often beautiful loving creatures that are here despite us.”