Young artists bring to life the threatened species of the deep in this exhibition
There are sharks and rays that live deep in the ocean, and with little footage of them, many Australians are unaware of these endangered species.
Now you can see them at the Australian Museum in the form of artworks by young artists and renowned painters and sculptors, including Mosman’s Ken Done.
The Fantastical Sharks & Rays exhibition, which is on now, first began when a children’s art competition was held last year to raise awareness and help protect these ‘lesser-known and endangered species.’ The competition was run by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) Australia.
From the 1,500 entries submitted by children aged 15 and under, 10 were chosen. These artworks then served as inspiration for 10 leading Australian artists to create their own works, including Ken Done, Blak Douglas and Jennifer Turpin.
Leonardo Guida, shark scientist and shark conservation lead of the AMCS, says that the idea for the exhibition was to ‘improve the conservation of Australia’s unique sharks and rays.’
“Lots of these species live in the deep water offshore, unseen and largely unknown by Australians. There’s a chance that we could lose these species before we get to know them,” Leonardo says, explaining there are limited images and footage of these creatures.
“We worked with a creative agency and came up with this brilliant idea of interpreting these animals as artworks, so we could connect people visually and emotionally,” he says. “So that they learn more about them and help protect them,” Leonardo adds.
Southern and eastern fiddler ray by Ken Done
Fantastical Shark & Rays exhibition
On now until 8 December | Free Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney Visit: australianmuseum.net.au
Children were invited to use their imaginations to bring these mysterious creatures to life based on a written description of the animals.
“Imagine if a shark and a ray had a baby that looked like a violin!” read part of the southern/eastern fiddler ray description that inspired winner, Leah Djikic.
Ken Done had the task of re-creating the southern/eastern fiddler ray that inspired the work of 11-year-old Leah.
“I’m endlessly intrigued by the underwater world and happy to do whatever I can to raise awareness of the magnificent creatures that live there,” Ken says.
“This is a unique project and one that I am immensely looking forward to participating in. If it helps to protect some of the world’s endangered species, that would be a great achievement for us all.”
The children’s and artists’ works are displayed side-by-side at the exhibition, which will run until 8 December.
“It’s a menagerie of amazing different art styles. You will find sculpture, metalworks, ceramics, paintings, digital artworks, and even jewellery. There’s something for everyone to engage the senses and then hopefully spark that curiosity and inspiration to learn more about these animals and help save them,” says Leonardo.
