By Kaz Thorpe, Arts Writer
I met Carmel Killin sitting on the floor creating more displays for her Pop Up exhibition at Stanthorpe Gallery – ‘Day of the Species’ which runs until 19 September.
This exhibition is the official beginning of an ongoing national community art project to prompt “conversations around Australia’s appalling record for biodiversity loss” and to instigate stronger national environmental laws.
Carmel is the instigator, designer and heroine behind the art activism display with an alarming message: as at June 2021, there are 1813 threatened flora and fauna in Australia.
The display at Stanthorpe Gallery features 32 threatened species that are specific to the local area.
It all began in 2020, prompted by a summer of “unprecedented fires” and what Carmel saw as a newly elected federal government out of touch with the existing and future environment.
This view was reinforced by the 10 Year Review of Australia’s environmental legislation which charged the Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) as being weak and effectual.
She cut a 3 x 7cm rectangle out of a tea bag box and illustrated the endangered spotted-tail quoll.
Her aim was to illustrate all 1800 endangered species which would be displayed in an effort to engage viewers and create an experience where they too sought environmental change.
It has been slow road, including a global epidemic continually blocking Carmel’s plans. Yet after a social media call out, The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria got behind the project and really got it going.
Since then, “professional artists, designers, students, children, ecologists, park rangers, botanical illustrators, academics, fiction writers, therapists, climate activists and a dentist” have created 1813 illustrations of threatened species.
Walking into Carmel’s exhibition at Stanthorpe is overwhelming. One is blown away by the sheer scale of the potential loss of so much of Australia’s unique biodiversity and the beauty of the artwork. One is aroused to act!
Carmel suggests writing, even a line or two, to Susan Ley – Federal Minister for the Environment, asking her to act to save our exceptional and precious flora and fauna.
Specially, she hopes to touch local communities so they wish to “follow through in their own way.”
Carmel wants to travel the exhibition and make it an “all singing, all dancing” experience. I know she will be successful!
If you would like further information contact Carmel on carmelkillin@gmail.com. A short video about “Day of the Species” is available at youtu.be/aU2TWNF-uZ0.
