LOST SPECIES ECO-ART GALLERY
GALLERY HONOURING SPECIES EXTINCTION AND COLLECTIVE GRIEF
from 2020 and beyond...
from 2020 and beyond...
ARTIST STATEMENTS - REFLECTIONS
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"We are all one on this Earth Home" by Cheryle Bannon (2020)
Artist Statement: It is so easy to choose forgetting in the loss...forgetting the losses along the way, forgetting our Earth. Unravelling the weaving of our existence until the fabric itself can no longer retain its beauty or its shape. This memory tree that holds stories of lost Gaia wisdom. The bird watches as the losses gather in dots, marks and scars upon her. The vessel of loss breathes life into what was and what could be as we sail our own vessels. Snake creator energy spirals in and out as flow, calling us back into harmony, restoring balance. The Gaia tree is grieving Earth story memories, shedding her tears, gathering as pools in heart resonance. This sacred holding space of loss and unity holding memories …it is a continent...a world within itself that we carry forward in reverence...let us remember the lost species…the earth scars of separation. *** "You and me" by Anvita Bisaria (2020) Artist Statement: Poem Down by the river, Under the tree I saw an old woman, Staring at me Her face was worn, eyes filled with grief., Said she is GAIA, as much outside as inside of me. Her water runs through my blood and air is what I breathe The food, soil and elements makes inside of me. My heart filled with shame and guilt with what I have seen We hugged and cried......both, you or me. I felt a warm hug engulfing my being, And saw earth children joining hands with me. I touched hope for the first time under tears of grief They said we are together ---- you and me *** LOVE AN ARTWORK?
You can enquire directly with the Eco-artist about finding out more or purchasing their artwork. Click on their name. |
“Phoenix Rising” by Karen Hopkins (2020)
Media/Method: mixed media artwork on canvas Artist Statement: Grounded I lean my back against the tree Connecting … reflecting,… back through this year …. thoughts of birds falling from the sky earlier this year choking on the smoke from incinerated koalas ... oceans increasingly becoming plastic, land polluted ,peoples inequalities torn apart by greed … How can we do this to each other and to the earth our home ? So much has happened in my lifetime.... I too am a cause. A feeling of deep sorrow for the earth inhabited by humans for such a short time yet so much destruction and disconnection caused. Paralyzing grief and guilt immobilizes me… I can't bare these thoughts for long ..its overwhelming I feel the tree against my back supporting me … slowly …from the destruction an image of phoenix rising emerges. A symbol of renewal rebirth and perseverance. Emerging unwavering from the ashes and destruction gallant confident it empowers me with action and hope for the future. *** "The Griefwalker" by Deb Punton (2020) Media/Method: Needle-felted Spirit Doll. Heart is dried plant material and a crystal. Outside is needle felted from various wools. Reflection: The Griefwalker shows me grief is a gift. It is a privilege to feel, to be called to bare witness to extinctions with love and appreciation for all the life in the waters, skies and land. The Griefwalker wears a mourning mask, has tear stained cheeks and the clothing is adorned with memories of eyes… The Griefwalker feels strong and capable to do the work they are called to do in honouring sacred spaces for grief and loss. I learned through this practice, self-inquiry and reflection that by creating The Griefwalker I have allowed myself to have the grace of time to processing these uncomfortable feelings. I feel relief, pulsing, cycling, evolving, and expansive. |
REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR LOST SPECIES on November 30th has taken place for over a decade.
The current rate of extinction is up to 10,000 times higher than the average historical extinction rates. We, humans, are almost wholly responsible for this increase.
"The Report finds that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history.”
The current rate of extinction is up to 10,000 times higher than the average historical extinction rates. We, humans, are almost wholly responsible for this increase.
"The Report finds that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history.”
- Visit The Lost Species Organisation
- EXTINCTION WITNESS is a creative spiritual practice...in the Quaker tradition—to peacefully observe...and express what is within and without...that the roots of violence may be understood and dispelled. Here is invitation to pause together in acceptance—the place of action.
- EXTINCTION WITNESS video (1-min) interview 2013 with Megan Hollingsworth, founder of Lost Species Day
Right now we witness mass destruction and extinction rates and many of us feel traumatised. We have an opportunity to acknowledge injustice, feel the uncomfortable emotions and sensations, participate in nurturing and healing practices, creatively express ourselves, and collectively share and reflect. Grief is communal, the pain we feel is our pain, to be honoured, shared and transitioned.
When we challenge the discomfort, listen to the multi-sensory sensations that are uncomfortable within ourselves, grief, sadness, frustration, anger... and share them with each other, we transition them through our body, from this release we can act together from a place of community, love and appreciation for life.
PARTICIPATE IN THE ECO-ART EXPERIENCE AND GALLERY
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Click HERE to find a Greensong LOST SPECIES event, register for either time slot and participate in the eco-art and gallery experience.
Attending one of the 2-hour gatherings is optional. In the gatherings we will share our reflections and experiences and view the gallery. 100% of profits are directed to organisations who protect the threatened species and forests from logging. This event is offered as a part of the Sustainability of Self: Eco-Resilience project to transition climate and ecological grief and anxiety. Please contact a professional for specialist advice regarding your feelings about climate grief and eco-anxiety, links are on SOS Eco-Resilience project page.
Twitter: @lostspeciesday
Instagram: @lostspeciesday @lostspeciesday2022 @greensongecopsychology Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/internationalremembrancedayforlostspecies/ www.facebook.com/GreensongEcopsychology/ |
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These events are offered as a part of the Sustainability of Self: Eco-Resilience project to transition climate and ecological grief and anxiety. Please contact a professional for specialist advice regarding your feelings about climate grief and eco-anxiety, links are on SOS Eco-Resilience project page.
2020 RDLS EVENT GUIDANCE: BLACK LIVES MATTER.
Acknowledging the involvement of a capitalist civilisation dominating our planet with destruction of ecosystems, resources extraction, and focus on power and profit is a beginning. This has lead to the highest rates of species extinction in human history. Many indigenous people have been fighting and died to protect their homes, culture, species, ecosystems and our planet. Indigenous, vulnerable people and marginalised communities around our planet now are in the forefront of climate change action and the worsening impacts.
The 2021 theme was interdependence. Focusing on single species as a tool for conservation has proven flawed, arguably contributing to harms to places and ecological communities and driving human communities from their homes.
Participants consider and celebrate:
2020 RDLS EVENT GUIDANCE: BLACK LIVES MATTER.
Acknowledging the involvement of a capitalist civilisation dominating our planet with destruction of ecosystems, resources extraction, and focus on power and profit is a beginning. This has lead to the highest rates of species extinction in human history. Many indigenous people have been fighting and died to protect their homes, culture, species, ecosystems and our planet. Indigenous, vulnerable people and marginalised communities around our planet now are in the forefront of climate change action and the worsening impacts.
The 2021 theme was interdependence. Focusing on single species as a tool for conservation has proven flawed, arguably contributing to harms to places and ecological communities and driving human communities from their homes.
Participants consider and celebrate:
- specific relationships and lives
- particular ecological / bio-cultural collectives and webs
- examples of care, commitment and solidarity.
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WARBURTON ENVIRONMENT is a not-for-profit non-government community organisation dedicated to protecting the forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria. This Lost Species experience will continue year after year to raise funds to support the actions of Warburton Environment protecting the threatened species of flora and fauna in the highlands of Victoria until all native forests in Victoria are free from logging.
Greensong advocates for a just transition. A 'just transition' is about moving away from the economic practices that are causing and perpetuating damage contributing to the climate and ecological emergency towards non-destructive lifestyles, ensuring everyone has a role to play, has work, affordable housing, adequate healthy food and all basic needs are met to create a stronger and more resilient community. Information: Knowledge is power!
Empowering Actions: Simply taking an action helps us to transition despair and other uncomfortable sensations...
Experience: We are grateful for the opportunity to have experiences each other and nature...
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The 'Truth about our Forests Tour' Dec 13, 2020
Our group had the opportunity to witness and reflect on the destruction as well as the beauty and life in this stunning part of our world. Warburton Environment tour guides, Nic and Alice offered us a place and space to learn the truth, and acknowledge our feelings about this senseless destruction, and then know what actions are possible for us to take to feel empowered. Our group feels so grateful to have had this experience, we affirmed in the flesh that this area is full of life forms and well worth protecting. We are excited to aim towards VicForests halting unsustainable practices that are expediting global warming, species extinction, and various ecological damage such as threatening our water supply and increasing our bushfire risk. I enjoyed the structure of the tour from witnessing the destruction, visiting the site with the endangered Tree Geebung, and having a picnic at Big Pats Creek. After Nic and Alice left us for lunch we drove up to view the ranges from the top of Donna Buang, drank the mountain spring water, and visited the stunning lush Rainforest Gallery. We had a brilliant day and all feel grateful, revitalized, and empowered to take actions to protect our native forests. 
THANK YOUI acknowledge and pay our respects to the first people of our various countries, their elders, past, present and emerging.
I also respect the role our ancestors play in our participation here right now. We also gratefully honour the other-than-human entities. I thank Megan Hollingsworth and the Lost Species organisations, Warburton Environment Nic and Alice, Dr. Michael Cohen of Project NatureConnect and Theresa Sweeney |
