In Memory of Extinct and Critically Endangered Plants
According to the Department of Environment and Heritage, more than 60 Australian plant species are now thought to be extinct, and over 1180 are threatened. Scientists state that plants account for 70% of Australia’s national threatened species list with 1,318 varieties considered critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Some of these plants, that were already threatened before the 2019/20 fires, are now at risk of extinction.
Scientists have estimated that two out of every five plant species on the planet are at risk of extinction due to the destruction of the natural world through agriculture, development, mining, the introduction of invasive species, pollution and Climate Change.
This body of work represents a memoriam to the plants that we have lost, or risk losing. Due to the inability to photograph these plants I have represented them through Painting and Sculpture.
Images + image descriptions in gallery (has icon with mountain and sun)?
Rhizanthella Gardneri. Listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss, drought and rising soil salinity. Painted Sculpture, Acrylic box, gold leaf
Critically Endangered: Caledenia Fulva. Oil and Acrylic paint on Board.
Caladenia patersonii var. hastata : Critically endangered due to the construction of an aluminium smelter on its only known location in Victoria. Painted Sculpture
Ricinocarpos gloria-medii: Glory of the Centre. Lsted as critically endangered due to wildfires. Painted Sculpture, burnt wood (salvaged from 2019/20 bushfires)