Of Special Concern (Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened): Red and Blue listed Birds of British Columbia.
2023
Paper clay, terra sigillata, raku glaze, raku and pit fired
installation various dimensions
This work is a physical representation of 103 BC birds, each red or blue listed on the species list. The installation is part of an ongoing witnessing of the present state of species and biodiversity within my province.
This installation brings the viewer into direct contact with these threatened birds, the material manifestation of a number, a statistic. The birds are all handmade and pit-fired. They hang from the ceiling in a flock, hovering around a raku fired urn which is inscribed with their names. In coming into contact the with birds, the hope is to educate, stimulate and perhaps inspire action towards legislation dedicated to protecting and recovering species at risk.
The greatest biodiversity in the country exists in the lands now called British Columbia. Currently B.C. has nearly 2000 species of animals and plants at risk of extinction. This is more than any other province or territory. One hundred and three of these are red and blue (extirpated, endangered, or threatened) listed birds.
Most of the species at risk in BC live outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Species at Risk Act. British Columbia is one of the only provinces in Canada without legislation dedicated to protecting and recovering species at risk. The BC government has stalled out on creating meaningful endangered species protection laws to which they had committed to in 2017 and 2020 (as part of the Old Growth Strategic Review). In some urban centres, municipalities are taking localized action to support native bird populations. For example, Vancouver has a Bird Strategy implemented by the city.
In November of 2023 the BC government released a draft draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health framework. Hopefully this is a meaningful step to achieving healthy ecosystems, advanced reconciliation, effective stewardship in BC.
2023
Paper clay, terra sigillata, raku glaze, raku and pit fired
installation various dimensions
This work is a physical representation of 103 BC birds, each red or blue listed on the species list. The installation is part of an ongoing witnessing of the present state of species and biodiversity within my province.
This installation brings the viewer into direct contact with these threatened birds, the material manifestation of a number, a statistic. The birds are all handmade and pit-fired. They hang from the ceiling in a flock, hovering around a raku fired urn which is inscribed with their names. In coming into contact the with birds, the hope is to educate, stimulate and perhaps inspire action towards legislation dedicated to protecting and recovering species at risk.
The greatest biodiversity in the country exists in the lands now called British Columbia. Currently B.C. has nearly 2000 species of animals and plants at risk of extinction. This is more than any other province or territory. One hundred and three of these are red and blue (extirpated, endangered, or threatened) listed birds.
Most of the species at risk in BC live outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Species at Risk Act. British Columbia is one of the only provinces in Canada without legislation dedicated to protecting and recovering species at risk. The BC government has stalled out on creating meaningful endangered species protection laws to which they had committed to in 2017 and 2020 (as part of the Old Growth Strategic Review). In some urban centres, municipalities are taking localized action to support native bird populations. For example, Vancouver has a Bird Strategy implemented by the city.
In November of 2023 the BC government released a draft draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health framework. Hopefully this is a meaningful step to achieving healthy ecosystems, advanced reconciliation, effective stewardship in BC.
