Top Australian artists team with kids for Australian Museum’s Sharks and Rays exhibit
Image: Four-year-old Inara Wilson with Jennifer Taupins sculptural interpretaion of Inara's painting. Source: Supplied
By CASSANDRA PACE
In an exciting collaboration between 10 Australian artists and the future generation of Picassos, the Australian Museum will be holding 10 creative works displayed alongside the Fantastical Shark and Rays art exhibition between the 7th of September to the 8th of December. These upcoming creatives have inspired the works of 10 well established Australian Artists, who work closely to tap into the fascinating imaginations of these youngsters and create an unforgettable opportunity.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Human Society International Australia ran a competition last summer, encouraging societies posterities to create an artwork that illustrates a creative interpretation of Australia’s unique threatened or endangered sharks and rays. Though there were many fish in the sea, only 10 out of the impressive 1500 entries from all over Australia were selected to be the inspiration for these upcoming works by professional artists, which are shining light on the devastating reality of endangerment Australia’s sharks and rays are currently facing.
Iconic Aussie artist Ken Done, 2022 Archibald Prize winner Blak Douglas and the designer of Sarah and Sebastian Sarah Munro are just some of the artists who took inspiration from the winners of the Fantastical Shark and Rays Children’s Art Competition held, and have since reinterpreted the work of the 10 winners. .
Ken Done said: “This is a unique project and one that I am immensely looking forward to. If it helps to protect some of the world’s endangered species, that would be a great achievement for us all.”
Dhungatti painter Blak Douglas expressed his support for the exhibition and the power of collaboration as a way to inspire: “The idea of translating a student artwork for public exhibition is unique to me. I’m particularly excited here as we shall exhibit within the great walls of my former workplace.”
Bringing Awareness
The AMCS and Human Society International Australia’s mission is to bring awareness to the lesser known sharks and rays that are currently in danger. Through the artworks exhibited, there will be references to 10 different types of sea life that are at the risk of extinction and suffering. These include the deep-diving green eye spurdog, the deceptively small Whitefin Swellshark that can expand up to twice its size to intimidate would-be predators, and the bright yellow-and-white speckled Eastern Angel Shark who hides in the sea floor, eying out it’s prey.
All 10 works exhibited will showcase the inspiring creativity of young aspiring artists, and the incredible talent of Australia’s future creatives.
Fantastical Sharks And Rays Exhibition
The Australian Museum
7 September 2024 – 9 December 2024
https://australian.museum/visit/whats-on/amcs-sharks-rays/
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