'Overwintering’: to spend the winter; e.g. ‘many birds overwinter in equatorial regions’
invitation
Migratory shorebirds are one of the most endangered groups of birds throughout the world, and the wetland habitat they rely on is under the most pressure of any habitat type. Wetlands are the most threatened global ecosystem. According to the United Nations, they are disappearing ‘three times faster than forests’. The Overwintering Project is inspired by the wonder of our migratory shorebirds and their amazing, globe spanning migrations. To try and raise awareness for these amazing birds and to communicate the importance of the wetland habitat they rely on, the Project invites people throughout Australia and New Zealand to use art as the doorway to engage people with these special creatures and places.
To involve as many people as possible, the Overwintering Project has an organic form, is ongoing, and there are many different ways to get involved.
The Overwintering Project Print Portfolio is a visual petition to convey the richness of our shorebird habitat in Australia and New Zealand, and the wonder of our shorebirds. Artists over 18 years of age from Australia and New Zealand are invited to contribute original prints to this part of the Project. The Wall of Wings is a community project - an flock-like installation of cut-out shorebird prints. Anyone of any age and from anywhere in the world can contribute to the Wall of Wings.
To involve as many people as possible, the Overwintering Project has an organic form, is ongoing, and there are many different ways to get involved.
The Overwintering Project Print Portfolio is a visual petition to convey the richness of our shorebird habitat in Australia and New Zealand, and the wonder of our shorebirds. Artists over 18 years of age from Australia and New Zealand are invited to contribute original prints to this part of the Project. The Wall of Wings is a community project - an flock-like installation of cut-out shorebird prints. Anyone of any age and from anywhere in the world can contribute to the Wall of Wings.
Printmakers are invited to submit a print to the Overwintering Print Portfolio. Galleries, artists, print workshops and groups, councils, schools, BirdLife groups, NPWS services or any other group with an interest in raising awareness of their local shorebirds and shorebird habitat are invited to participate in the Overwintering Project by organising an Independent Overwintering Project Exhibition or Event.
If you would like to plan an Overwintering Project exhibition or event, please first contact the Project Co-ordinator Kate Gorringe-Smith ([email protected]).
If you would like to plan an Overwintering Project exhibition or event, please first contact the Project Co-ordinator Kate Gorringe-Smith ([email protected]).
The Project's aims are:
- to raise awareness of Australia and New Zealand as the major destination for migratory shorebirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway*, as they spend the greatest single portion of their migratory cycle on our shores (Sept./Oct. – April/May)
- to raise community and individual awareness of the intrinsic value and uniqueness of local shorebird habitat
- to map a personal response to the richness of our shores
- to link artists around Australia and New Zealand
Knowledge bestows ownership; uniqueness bestows value.
background
The Overwintering Project is designed to be organic in nature. In my experience of co-ordinating the shorebird-related project, the Flyway Print Exchange, the idea of the Flyway and the shorebirds that migrate annually along it resonated with far more artists than could practically join the original project. We overcame this limitation by holding other exhibitions where local artists could make related artwork and exhibit these alongside the Flyway Print Exchange. This led to some beautiful exhibitions, but it would have been more satisfying to incorporate those artists’ works into a larger project. The Overwintering Project is designed to be able to contain the works of as many artists as want to be a part of it.
for further information
For further details including information about your local shorebird habitat, help finding a local shorebird expert or any queries regarding how to join the project, please contact:
Kate Gorringe-Smith, Overwintering Project Co-ordinator:
[email protected]
* The East-Asian Australasian Flyway extends from Arctic Russia and North America to New Zealand and is used by over 50 million migratory waterbirds. The countries that comprise the East-Asian Australasian Flyway are: the USA (Alaska); Russia (Siberia); Mongolia; China; North Korea; South Korea; Japan; the Philippines; Vietnam; Laos; Thailand; Cambodia; Myanmar; Bangladesh; India; Malaysia; Singapore; Brunei; Indonesia; Timor; Papua New Guinea; Australia and New Zealand.
Kate Gorringe-Smith, Overwintering Project Co-ordinator:
[email protected]
* The East-Asian Australasian Flyway extends from Arctic Russia and North America to New Zealand and is used by over 50 million migratory waterbirds. The countries that comprise the East-Asian Australasian Flyway are: the USA (Alaska); Russia (Siberia); Mongolia; China; North Korea; South Korea; Japan; the Philippines; Vietnam; Laos; Thailand; Cambodia; Myanmar; Bangladesh; India; Malaysia; Singapore; Brunei; Indonesia; Timor; Papua New Guinea; Australia and New Zealand.