Ro Murray + Mandy Burgess

About the work

The yellow propped blackened trees of Fallen Forest flag the destruction of forest and woodlands since European settlement. This loss of habitat has been catastrophic for wildlife, and is the main driver for plummeting mammal and bird numbers and extinction of many species. Most of these are unique to this continent. In Australia we continue to clear, log, mine and dam crucial habitat. Human impacts are compounded by the effects of climate change, drought and bushfire.

104 animal and plant species are extinct

Nearly 2000 species are threatened, of these 294 face extinction

Many common birds are declining in number.

The koala is listed as endangered in NSW.

Our skies are emptying. Our landscapes are falling silent.

About the artist

Ro Murray and Mandy Burgess are the creative partnership Murray and Burgess, both National Art School honours graduates after careers as architects. From 2015, they have had three solo exhibitions and selected to exhibit in many sculpture festivals and prizes, including North Sydney Art Prize and Canberra Biennale, 2020. Their large-scale installation work addresses environmental issues and human rights. A highlight is a Create NSW grant for original music to accompany their solo exhibition in 2022 at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba. Their studio is in Mt Victoria in the Blue Mountains. They also maintain individual art practices.

 

www.murrayandburgess.com.au

@murrayburgessart