Dusk, 2024

Dusk / Korumburra, 2024

This mural acknowledges Korumburra’s dual landscapes. Starting with the depiction of local native birds and botanicals I aimed to ground this design in the species that have lived on these hills for centuries.

The choice to showcase small native birds is deliberate. Taking my cue from the town’s coal history, I started thinking about miners’ reliance on canaries in days past. That led me to ponder changing migration and habitation patterns as the world changes around these little creatures, as it is in the prevalence or absence of these small birds that indicate issues with a changing climate. I have chosen to feature a double-barred finch, a flame robin, a silver-eye, a golden whistler and a red-browed finch, all small birds found in the Korumburra region.

Alongside these avian species are old gladioli blooms and ginkgo leaves that are showcased within the town’s streetscapes. These are teamed with leaves of the native mountain ash and local grevillea species.

Commissioned by: South Gippsland Shire Council
30.7 x 6m

All photos by @karli_michelle_commercial
Paint: @reseneaustralia

Thank you to these photographers for the inspiring bird references left to right:
Double-barred finch - Geoffrey Dabb
Flame Robin - David Jenkins
Silvereye - Kim Wormald Lirralirra
Golden Whistler - David Cook
Red-browed finch - @haysomandrew