This painting is a scale representation of the nest of a White-bellied Sea Eagle. It is a view seldom seen by us, looking directly into the nest from above. These nests may be used over many successive years and grow to several metres in dimension. It has been painted in consultation with Simon Cherriman, an ornithologist specialising in Australian raptors. These nests are typically built in tall, dead trees or high on rocky outcrops. Branches are snapped off in flight for the construction. Fish frames and the remains of other food items such as crustaceans will often be found within the edges of the nest. Sea Eagles, like other Australian raptors, use eucalyptus leaves as a lining to keep nests free of mites.
‘Love in the Anthropocene, II
Acrylic paint on linen, 170cm x 170cm.
The painting contains reconstructions of over one hundred fragments of human artefacts. These items have been cast from acrylic paint. Amongst these items are ropes, single use plastics such as straws, balloons, lighters, bottle caps, and packaging. All of these have been collected from Australian beaches, many from Bruny Island. In addition to these fragments are drone components and rotor blades. The work is a reminder to us of our impact on the animals we share the environment with. Sea Eagles generally maintain very well kept nests. Some of the plastics might find their way into nests as nesting materials. Others may be as a result of the birds eating their usual prey items, which have in turn ingested plastic items.
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