Bimblebox: art – science – nature has been touring around Australia since June 2014, and on Friday February 10th 2017, it will open for the last time, at the Somerset Regional Art Gallery in  Toogoolawah, Qld (100km north west of Brisbane). We would urge everyone who hasn’t yet had a chance to this this wonderful exhibition to make the effort to check it out.

DETAILS:

Somerset Regional Art Gallery – The Condensery
Address: 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah
Exhibition dates: 11 February – 26 March 2017
Official opening: Friday, 10 February at 6pm
Gallery website: http://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/condensery
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm

ABOUT:

Bimblebox: art – science – nature is a touring exhibition about the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, its environmental, social and scientific significance and an artist group’s creative response to their experience of this unique and threatened environment. The exhibition is rich, dynamic and diverse, including artworks in installation, works on paper, painting, artist books, photography, digital media and sound. Curated by Beth Jackson from a project initiated by artist Jill Sampson, the exhibition also incorporates aspects of scientific and environmental research and social history of the site, together with catalogue and education kit in digital and print media.

Painted Button-quail, Bimblebox Nature Refuge
Photo: Greg Harm

In early September 2016, seventeen artists from Melbourne to Mackay made their way out to central-west Queensland for the 5th annual art camp on Bimblebox Nature Refuge. It was a great success. Recent rain produced a glorious display of heathland wildflowers, highlighting the floristic values that originally qualified Bimblebox as a Nature Refuge. Two new birds were also added to Bimblebox bird list – the Spotted Nightjar and the Painted Button Quail – more proof of just how rich Bimblebox‘s fauna values are as well!

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The wonderful exhibition Bimblebox: art – science – nature will open at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum on 1 July! Please see this invitation for more details.

OFFICIAL OPENING: Fri 1 July, 6-8pm by Jill Simpson, Project Coordinator

SPECIAL EVENT: Sun 3 July, 2-4pm a gathering of artists and art workers involved in the project will reflect on their experience of making and exhibiting art with the hope of effecting social change and raising environmental awareness

PERFORMANCE: At the opening and special event, Alison Clouston and Boyd will bring their Coalface installation to life through performance and live  music

Bimblebox: art – science – nature is a touring exhibition about the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, its environmental, social and scientific significance and an artist group’s creative response to their experience of this unique and threatened environment. The exhibition is rich, dynamic and diverse, including artworks in installation, works on paper, painting, artist books, photography, digital media and sound. Curated by Beth Jackson from a project initiated by artist Jill Sampson, the exhibition also incorporates aspects of scientific and environmental research and social history of the site, together with catalogue and education kit in digital and print media.

Photo: Greg Harm

… Galilee’s Goliath lies entombed within this earth but there are philistines alive today who from airconditioned comfort prepare to awaken the prehistoric monster from eternal silent slumber. They feel not this ominous portent nor heed the honourable science that has served us all so well so far but today serves us notice. Secluded by wealth and blinded by greed, they contort thoughts and words and figures to persuade us all that more of same is needed. Unless latter-day Davids poised with dialectic slings and intellectual arrows can put paid to these foolish ways – and fast – our ordained days are numbered.

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Paola Cassoni is co-owner of Bimblebox Nature Refuge

Paola Cassoni sent the following letter to members of the Queensland parliament and candidates in the state election, to be held 31st January 2015, asking for their stance on mining in Queensland’s conservation areas. There have been a number of responses to Paola’s letter, including from the Queensland Greens, the Liberal-National Party, Fiona Simpson (Liberal-National Party), Tim Mulherin (Australian Labor Party), Bill Gissane (Australian Labor Party), Jamie Evans (Free Australia Party), Rob Katter (Katter’s Australia Party), and candidates from North Toowoomba electorate.

19.1.15

Dear Members of Parliament and candidates,

I am co-owner of Bimblebox Nature Refuge located in the state’s central west and the President of the recently formed group, The Bimblebox Alliance Inc. (https://bimblebox.org/nature-refuges/). I am writing to ask for your stance on the mining of Nature Refuges.

Our 8,000 hectare Nature Refuge is currently threatened by Clive Palmer’s China First Project (also known as Galilee Coal Project) in the Galilee Basin. This would destroy Bimblebox and the refuge it offers to endangered species like the Black-throated Finch.

The mining of Nature Refuges and other areas of high conservation value was a prominent issue prior to the 2012 election, and both major parties promised positive outcomes for the environment. Then Premier, Anna Bligh, committed that Bimblebox would not be mined, while Campbell Newman stated, “coal mining will not be allowed in areas of high conservation value”. However, Mr Newman’s assurance proved hollow, when in 2013 his government approved the China First project.
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