Takako Osawa

My artwork comprises two sections: 67 portraits of extinct Australian animals and a 7:27 minute video entitled A letter to 67 Extinct Australian Animals. This collection of artwork honours the lives of the 67 extinct Australian animals at the same level as humans and invites viewers to consider current environmental issues from an animal’s perspective. Inspired by the practices and history for the natural world of indigenous Australians, the video reflects Shinto and Buddhist spiritual practices of my rural village in Japan. Since European arrival in Australia, 39 mammals, 22 birds, 4 frogs, 1 reptile and 1 worm have become extinct and a further 103 unique Australian animals are listed as critically endangered*. This artwork is the first step of my project to promote co-habitation between humans and non-humans and is my urgent plea to avoid further loss of our wildlife by embracing indigenous philosophies.

*Source: EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation)