Art show to highlight endangered species
The quaint Knysna Art Gallery at the Old Gaol Museum was abuzz with activity this week as artists and orgainisers geared up for their upcoming exhibition, Verge, which opens this Saturday 10 November.
The exhibition forms part of a broader conservational thrust that includes talks, workshops and guided tours in nature and is staged by artists who wish to raise awareness and funds, inspire action to support animal conservation, and protect the ecosystem and regenerative system design.
Verge showcases the work of 15 artists wanting to pay special tribute to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red-listed species – many of which can be found right here in Greater Knysna and surrounds – and the disappearing habitats that are home to these species.
Visual artist and exhibition coordinator Janet Botes said, “We hope to offer the public a tactile experience of some species that can be found along the Cape coast, Garden Route and the Karoo that are in dire need of conservation.
By making use of various art mediums – from photography to illustrations – we hope to give you an extraordinary visual depiction of biodiversity under threat of extinction.” To renew appreciation for nature, Helena Joubert offers guided tours through Pledge Nature Reserve.
Participatory species mapping and other learning experiences will provide the perfect entertainment for children. Various talks and workshops form part of this event and include Dr Dave Edge, from Brenton Blue Trust, who will be presenting on the Brenton Blue butterfly.
A percentage of the proceeds will go towards local organisations that dedicate themselves towards animal endangerment awareness and conservation, such as Nature’s Valley Trust, Brenton Blue Trust and Knysna Basin Project. “Through art we change perceptions and preconceived ideas about important issues, and how to deal with them.
We hope this exhibition will inspire you to come up with new action-based solutions on how to better look after our vulnerable and endangered nonhuman species,” concluded Botes.
The exhibition is scheduled to run until 30 November.
For further information and the full programme, visit www.artforspecies.org.