Join artist Anna May Kirk as she discusses her new commission for the 2026 Canberra Art Biennial, presented in partnership with the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and hear from the scientists and ranger perspectives that helped shape this public art project. This panel discussion is facilitated by Canberra Art Biennial board member, Owen Craven.

The event will take place 2pm – 3pm in the Crosbie Morrison Amphitheatre.

Anna May Kirk is an artist and curator exploring how environments transform across human and geological time, and how this change is perceived in the present. Grounded in sustained field research and collaborations with scientists, Kirk investigates how climatic events, extraction histories and technologies of measurement shape understandings of an increasingly unstable planet. Kirk creates living sculptures co-produced with environmental forces, beings and landscapes. Material transformation lies at the centre of her practice, engaging materials from sites of scientific enquiry, such as plants grown from seed banks, locations of climatic change like volcanic sand from Mt Tambora, or materials altered by extreme forces and the body including glass and bronze. In doing so, environmental change co-forms the work to make tangible planetary shifts unfolding beyond the limits of human perception, from the microscopic to the planetary, deep time to urgent present.

Dr Gemma Hoyle is a Research Scientist at the National Seed Bank in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra. Her research focuses on seed germination requirements, dormancy alleviation and longevity in storage to improve the conservation and management of Australia’s native flora.

Pheebs Harrison (they/them) is a proud Wotjobaluk artist from north-west Victoria, raised on Wathawurrung Country in Ballarat. Inspired by their family, culture, and time spent on Country, they developed a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action. In February 2026, Pheebs joined the Australian National Botanic Gardens as an Indigenous trainee, combining their passion for conservation, community engagement, and environmental education.

Owen Craven brings over 20 years of expertise in the visual arts sector to his position on the board of the Canberra Art Biennial. As Director at UAP, he drives strategic growth and creates transformative opportunities in public art by fostering innovative partnerships that connect visionary artists with platforms to enhance public spaces and cultural landscapes. During his nine years as Managing Principal and Senior Curator at Urban Arts Projects (UAP), he led Curatorial, Design, and Business Development teams across Australia and the Middle East. Under his leadership, UAP expanded from its Brisbane headquarters to establish successful studios in Sydney and Melbourne while developing a thriving consultancy practice. His extensive portfolio includes orchestrating major public art installations nationally and internationally, working alongside distinguished artists such as Lindy Lee, Emily Floyd, Caroline Rothwell, Wolfgang Buttress, Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, and Reko Rennie. Through close collaboration with commissioning clients and artists, he has helped translate creative visions into impactful large-scale public installations that serve communities across Australia.