(Tom Chetwynd, Dictionary of Symbols)

The term Sentinel Species signifies a group guarding the environment while acting as a harbinger of the condition of that environment. The Bird has long been a symbolic messenger between Man and the Cosmos and represents the quest for height / elevation.

I have been developing the theme of environment / technology for five years and have synthesised these ideas into series of bird portraits. Recently specific birds, both protected and endemic to tropical Far North Queensland, relate as a metaphor or self-portrait of us in a burgeoning era of technology and overload the human condition.

“Sentinel” is an installation that will echo the nature and intimacy of our richly verdant rainforest, wetlands and coast of Far North Queensland. Tropical rain will stream down gallery walls of veridian and pthalo blue; carpets of water will make welcome the inhabitants of this world.

Other information

Elements of the 50’s “Space Race” relate to childhood images that comment on our historical placement and perception of haw the future (now) would be.

Other issues I address are restoration, protection of threatened species, rainforest/coastal area management, erosion, and the effect of population/development, migration and adaption.