Australian birds exhibition and events lifting off in Logan

The beauty of Australian birds and their environment is the focus of a major exhibition about to lift off at Logan Art Gallery.

Where do I belong? will run from 19 June to 29 August and brings together Queensland-based and national artists with environmental specialists, First Nations representatives, youth and individuals with disabilities from the Logan area.

Logan City Council Thriving Community Committee Chairperson, Councillor Mindy Russell, says the exhibition will highlight the pressures facing native bird populations and the community’s role in protecting them.

‘People who are passionate about birds, art and nature are sharing ideas, celebrating community and promoting positive environmental action through Where do I belong?,’ Cr Russell says.

‘We encourage the community to learn more about our local feathered friends and the important role they play in our environment.’

The City of Logan is home to more than 270 different species of birds, from the wedge-tailed eagle and eastern whipbird to the powerful owl and azure kingfisher.

Additionally, the Eagleby Wetlands are so significant that almost a quarter of Queensland’s bird species can be found there. Other wetlands at Berrinba, Spring Mountain and Priestdale also support many different bird species.

Local artists have created 15 new artworks for the exhibition to feature alongside loaned works from the State Library of Queensland, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian Museum.

Artist residencies and community workshops have been held over recent months to produce the new works.

A range of activities will run alongside the exhibition, including:

• The Birds of Australia STORYBOX on display in the Logan Entertainment Centre (LEC) forecourt until Monday, 31 August. This 3D interactive cube, lit up from 6 am to 9 pm daily, includes striking images of Australian birdlife from The Australian Museum, and is accompanied by audio field recordings captured across Logan by Heritage Park-based audio engineer and music producer Louise Wheatley.
• Up late at Logan Art Gallery, at 6 pm on Thursday, 16 July, includes ‘Living Sculptures: How the birds got their colours’, a performance featuring ARC Circus and Luther Cora and his team from Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers at LEC.
• Art and Nature Symposium on Saturday, 22 August at Logan Art Gallery, a dynamic gathering to share ideas, celebrate community, and promote positive environmental action.

Where do I Belong? is supported by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Logan City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland, and Community Bank Logan and Helensvale, a franchise of Bendigo Bank.

For a full list of the activities running alongside the exhibition or for more information, visit bit.ly/wdib-exhibition

PHOTO AT TOP: Logan-based music producer and audio engineer Louise Wheatley (left) and Logan City Council Thriving Community Chairperson Cr Mindy Russell outside The Birds of Australia STORYBOX at the Logan Entertainment Centre.

 View the STORYBOX here: Touring installation: The Birds of Australia STORYBOX – The Australian Museum