Bimblebox 153 Birds

Bimblebox 153 Birds

This exhibition surrounds you with the sights and sounds of birdlife found on Bimblebox Nature Refuge in Queensland. This unique installation combines artists’ prints, poetry, prose and musical interpretations of birdcalls contributed by over 450 people worldwide.

Each bird species found on Bimblebox is lovingly described by a writer, an artist and a musician. Musician’s bird calls and recordings of writer’s poetry and prose form a soundscape, while artists’ representations of the many and varied Bimblebox birds flock along the walls.

Located in Central Queensland’s Galilee Basin, Bimblebox is an 8000 hectare parcel of privately-held, never-been-cleared woodland and a significant pocket of biodiversity.  Although protected in perpetuity by a Nature Refuge Agreement, it is not protected from, and is consequently threatened by, coal mining.

Bimblebox was thought to be home to 153 species of birds—more have since been spotted, and this has climbed to 158. It’s habitat for the endangered Black-throated Finch and twelve species of conservation significance including the Squatter Pigeon and Grey-crowned Babbler.

Bimblebox 153 Birds showcases creative responses across a broad range of printmaking techniques, writing styles and innovative music. It enthralls people who love being surrounded by birds while it sparks stories and conversations. It’s our story of our birds, how we experience them and sadly, how we may lose them.

Curator Jill Sampson

Audio compilation and mixing by Boyd

Acknowledgements:

Bimblebox 153 Birds is supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund.  This Project is also supported by The Bimblebox Alliance, Museums & Galleries Queensland and proudly sponsored by Seedhead Holistic Graphic Design and Quill Studios.