4 Possums
Possums were introduced to Aotearoa NZ from Australia to create a fur industry. This did not go well for native populations of birds as after settling into their new habitat possums proved to be very destructive to both the flora and fauna in its new home. Possums are on the list of targeted species for eradication by the Department of Conservation and the Pest Free 2050 Trust.
The possums are my take on Warhol’s iconic pop art posters of celebrities in the 1960s. Chosen more for their infamy and as a vehicle to highlight the ongoing need for continual vigilance to ensure native species can survive and thrive.
A Game of Chance
A Game of Chance uses the concept of a throw of the dice to comment on the devastating and indiscriminate effect that introduced predators have on native ecosystems. The result is a commentary on how a seemingly random, or even playful element can cause systemic and irreversible damage.
The Colonisers’ Gift
Following on from the 4 possums series this large print is my response to imbalances faced today due to past decisions made by early European settlers when they packed their ships and moved to this land. Often the introduced species they brought have proved to be a double edged sword, beneficial to some extent but also having negative impacts on the larger ecosystems they now inhabit. Within this large lino print there are both native and introduced species of flora and fauna. The challenge is to identify what are the gifts to keep and treasure and what needs managed or removed to ensure our unique environment is protected and nurtured into the future.