Tasmania’s wilderness will be abuzz with artists as part of a conservation campaign.
More than 100 photographers, musicians, printmakers, painters and dancers are due to spread across 450,000 hectares of the Tarkine wilderness in the state’s northwest, starting from Thursday.
Their aim is to capture the beauty of the region and show it to the world, Bob Brown Foundation spokeswoman Jenny Weber said.
‘From windswept coastlines to the largest temperate rainforests in Australia, 120 artists will locate in several diverse locations through the Tarkine.
‘The great body of work … will show the people of our great cities what will be lost forever if we don’t act to protect it.’
More than 1000 hectares of the Tarkine are due to be logged over coming years, in a move Ms Weber labelled a “global shame”.
Over three days there will be a series of base camps set up throughout the Tarkine, from where artists will explore the surrounding rivers, beaches, mountains and forests to find inspiration.
Their works will be put on show for audiences around Australia.
Former Australian Greens leader Dr Brown said the region is under threat from industry and recreation.
‘More than 90 per cent is under mineral exploration licence and logging is proceeding in the eucalypt forests and rainforests of the Tarkine,’ he said.
‘The heritage coast is under pressure from rapid degradation by off-road vehicles ripping through middens and Aboriginal hut sites.’
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