An empty nest lays silently on the water, displaced from its home, unused without its occupants; the Black Necked Stork (Jabiru). No song-lines to be sung and young to be fed. With rising sea levels, habitat destruction and major climate change, bird patterns are changing, and species are threatened. A collaboration between artist’s Kris Martin, Libby Derham and students at St Andrew’s Anglican College, ‘Silent Song’ gives a voice back to the birds. The audience are invited to stop and be present, to appreciate the bird life in the moment. Amongst the branches is Cat’s Claw, an invasive weed so devastating it can impact ecosystems, only stopped if we prevent it.

'Silent Song' sits as an oversized empty nest, laying silently out on the water. Far displaced from where it’s true home should be, the position denotes loss of habitat and rising sea levels.

“Climate change is also likely to exacerbate other threats such as habitat loss and invasive species” http://datazone.birdlife.org/sowb/casestudy/climate-change-is-impacting-the- distribution-abundance-and-migration-of-australian-birds . One such invasive species is Cat’s Claw, and this was used as the main materials in the construction of a strong nest, to raise awareness of the devastation this weed can cause.

Primary students from St Andrew’s Anglican College worked with Simon McVerry and Libby Derham to construct the nest (after the frame was constructed by Ian Davies). They will learn about the invasive nature of Cat’s Claw, the importance of wetlands and be introduced to the Black-Necked Stork.

During Floating Land 2021, students engaged in an immersive art day at Boreen Point, witnessing their collaboration now installed. After learning about the threatened birds, Libby guided them through sensory mapping, connecting them to the landscape of Boreen Point. Students recorded their marks on drawing scrolls as they walked, connecting to Libby’s art practice. Guiding them to use all their senses on the walk along the shoreline, paying particular attention to the birds that were seen and heard on the day. Students them came together to produce large scale collegial work built on from them initial marks and drawings, layering watercolour into their pieces.

Photo credit: Red Handed Productions