Tell us about the Black Finch Project...
The Black Finch Project is a way for people and artists to share a
voice of collective grief, not only for the black-throated fi nch, but
for the wider extinction crisis we’re currently facing. The idea was
to mail 1000 artworks of black-throated fi nches to the Queensland
government in response to the decision to approve Adani’s fi nch
conservation plan (which was strongly condemned by various
scientists and conservation groups). The response has been huge,
and people have been sharing their artwork online using the hashtag
#1000fi nches.
Why the black-throated finch?
The black-throated fi nch is a small bird that’s had its territory
systematically removed by land clearing and development. There
are approximately 1500 birds left in the wild, with the largest
population directly on the site of the Adani Carmichael Mine.
For me, the fi nch is a small but powerful symbol of the values
and actions contributing to mass extinction. When I think of the
fi nch, I wonder how many more species will vanish on our watch.
How did you come up with the idea?
I’m not sure I really did! I feel more like I asked a question, and hundreds
upon hundreds of people answered. Basically, it felt as though
every other avenue for communicating dissent was undermined by
the usual political rhetoric. I thought, surely there must be some
humanity to appeal to, and art is the only way I know how to do that.
Who took part, and what kinds of artworks did you receive?
Artists of all kinds, as well as scientists, children, parents and teach-
ers have gotten on board and contributed a work. Paintings, draw-
ings, crochet, quilts, sculptures, ceramics – the list goes on. The
count is currently at about 1440 artworks and rising.
What was the overall aim of the project?
To share a voice of collective grief. We’re in an age of rapid extinction,
and as far as I know there is no communal or public forum to express
that. The project is named after the black-throated fi nch, which is
the canary in our moral mine, if you like, but really it’s a project for
all beings in the natural world that we’ve positioned towards a long
line of loss.
What did it mean to the people who took part?
Many participants have told me that it was an opportunity to have
a voice in a situation where they otherwise felt helpless. Many have
expressed a sense of sadness, but also a feeling of community and
solidarity in what can often feel like an ominous and overwhelming
time.
What were your personal highlights?
So many. I’ve shed tears after being deeply moved by an image a child
has made or an artist’s story about why they took part. I really felt for
the scientists who participated because they felt their research was
otherwise being ignored by those in power.
What role does art play when it comes to communicating ideas about
the world we live in?
Art is fundamental to being a human. It teaches us to observe
and to communicate, which inevitably brings the maker (and the
viewer) to perspectives other than their own. To make art is also
to have an open mind, and by doing that we have the potential to
look at ourselves and those around us with more empathy and
compassion. Art is not a cure-all, but it does serve a very powerful
and personal function in the way we understand the world. the finch in
the coal mine
FEELING HELPLESS ABOUT THE ADANI
MINE’S IMPACT ON THE ECOSYSTEM, ARTIST
CHARLOTTE WATSON CALLED FOR HER
PEERS TO JOIN FORCES ON A POWERFUL
PROJECT THAT’S RAISING AWARENESS OF
THE EXTINCTION CRISIS.
artwork (top) JO LANE(bottom) DEBORAH WOOD