Innocean Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) have joined forces to present the Fantastical Sharks & Ray Exhibition. Following their recent ARIA win for the Voice of the Sea campaign, Innocean Australia continues its partnership with AMCS to address the silent extinction confronting lesser-known Australian sharks and rays.
The collaborative project involves children’s imaginations and contributions from renowned Australian artists. During the upcoming school holidays, AMCS invites Australian children to lend their creative skills in any medium (excluding artificial intelligence), to bring these fantastical underwater species to life.
The standout entries will serve as inspiration for artworks by ten prominent Australian artists, including Ken Done, Jenny Turpin, Janet Laurence, Reko Rennie, Jonathan Zawada, Rosie Deacon, Sarah & Sebastian, Dion Horstmans, and Blak Douglas.
Aligned with AMCS’s overarching strategy of inspiring the next generation of ocean protectors, the project also aims to engage parents in the conservation cause. By challenging the conventional perception of sharks and rays as fearsome predators, the initiative seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse range of species facing extinction due to extensive commercial fishing practices.
To ignite children’s creativity, ten evocative descriptions have been provided, such as the Lined Lanternshark – a palm-sized shark with light-emitting organs residing 800 meters deep on the seafloor. Artist Done expressed his enthusiasm for the exhibitoin, stating, “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.”
Dr. Leonardo Guida, shark scientist for AMCS, emphasised the significance of the Fantastical Sharks & Ray Exhibition. Guida commented, “The fusion of art and science has never been more important as a means to engage and empower the broader community to save our threatened species and ensure healthy oceans for future generations.”
The resulting masterpieces will be display at the Fantastical Sharks & Rays exhibition, scheduled to run from August 2024 to January 2025 at the Australian Museum.
Details on how to enter, along with the full list of endemic sharks and rays for artistic inspiration, can be found on the official competition webpage.
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