SIX ARTISTS | SEVEN DAYS: Defiance Gallery + Australian Wildlife Conservancy at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins
Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary spans nearly 262,000 hectares at the intersection of three central Australian bioregions, making it one of the largest non-government protected areas and a vital conservation site. It hosts Australia’s largest feral cat eradication project, including a massive predator-free area that will ultimately protect up to 100,000 hectares. The first 9,450-hectare fenced area was completed in 2016, enabling the reintroduction of seven nationally threatened mammals, with three more species planned.
The sanctuary protects diverse habitats, including mulga woodlands, spinifex sand plains and desert oaks and supports threatened species like the Black-footed Rock-wallaby, Brush-tailed Mulgara and Great Desert Skink. A hotspot for arid-zone birdwatching, Newhaven supports 180 bird species, 23 ecosystems and over 600 plant species. Located on Ngalia-Warlpiri/Luritja land, a historic native title consent determination was recognised in 2010. Indigenous community members actively contribute to Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) delivery of land management and science programs.
In July 2024, six artists embarked on what they have described as a life defining experience. The invited residency artists included Sophie Cape, Nicolette Eisdell, Pamela Honeyfield, Michelle Hungerford, Charmaine Pike and Ana Pollak who were accompanied by filmmakers Kathryn Milliss ACS and Anna Howard ACS and arts writer John McDonald. This exhibition is the culmination of that residency and what will be the final expedition in this ambitious ten year project, to connect artists with country and broaden environmental awareness in a totally unique way.
Following its success at Defiance Gallery in Sydney, we are delighted to present the exhibition with additional work at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne.
Over the last twelve years, supported by the Ferris Family Foundation, Defiance Gallery has coordinated four residencies and the subsequent exhibition sales have raised an incredible $900,000. With your help, for this fifth and final exhibition, we aim to reach our goal of $1,000,000 donated to the very significant work of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
