Both exhibits focus on extinct and endangered species, with Ascent at Talon featuring birds exclusively, and BRINK featuring mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and other members of the non-avian animal kingdom.
Why extinct and endangered species? Niel and Susannah explained: “Extinction is a difficult concept for people to grapple with. Art provides a beautiful way to begin that conversation. Most of the artists that we work with are young people that have grown up in the shadow of the reality of climate change, which is why it is such a significant theme in their works. We have been watching firsthand the decimation of wildlife and their habitat through human action since we were children, while wrestling with the knowledge that once a species is gone, it is gone forever.”
The artists who have contributed their work to the show over the years have explored themes of extinction, prompting people to consider issues surrounding endangered species and further connecting them to nature. Each artist has a different perspective but, from California Condors to the Dodo, always stay centered on the natural world.
We are deeply grateful to Niel, Susannah, and the 19 artists who are contributing their work to the two shows. It’s always a spectacular event, with art that truly captures the diversity, beauty, and complexity of the natural world.
