Bimblebox 153 Birds was first exhibited during May, 2015.

153 Artists created 153 artworks.  153 writers created 153 poems & prose.  153 musicians interpreted the written onomatopoeia and mnemonic notations for  these birds creating 153 bird calls.  This is Bimblebox 153 Birds.

Here you will see some photos of the Bimblebox 153 birds exhibition and events and hear some of the writers and musicians audios.  Bimblebox 153 Birds is now an extensive collection and I can only give you a taste of it here.  I intend to add more photos of the artwork as well as writers’ and musicians’ compilations to this website over several months.

Bimblebox 153 Birds was exhibited at the Impress Printmakers Studio and Gallery, Brisbane in May 2015.  It was astonishing to see so many species of birds filling the gallery.  Audio of the writers poetry & prose mixed with the musicians bird calls played into the gallery.  A listening station provided the opportunity to choose to listen through headphones to any of the audios by the writers and musicians.  Also provided in folders were printed copies of the bird inspired poetry and prose.

Bimblebox 153 Birds was officially opened by Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO.  Ian gave an inspired, informative, and entertaining opening address.  Ian spoke to us about the global, national, local and personal cost of developing more coal mines and in particular what we risk losing by destroying the Bimblebox Nature Refuge for coal mining.  Ian reminded us with his compelling insight and all encompasing science that Climate Change is the great challenge to ongoing life on planet Earth, our home.  Ian spoke about the myriad forms of life that make up the incredible biodiversity of the Bimblebox Nature Refuge and finished his address with a poem penned especially for this occaision. Ian Lowe is also a contributing writer to Bimblebox 153 Birds with his poem about that much loved iconic Australian bird – the Galah.

The Galah, Poet Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe, Musician Stephen Bradbury on Moog LP, Doepfer Dark Energy Boss Loop Station RC-30, Moog Moogerfooger MF103 Phaser.  Compilation and mixing by Boyd.

The Wandering Whistling Duck, Writer Peter Shepherd, Musician Markus Kuchenbuch, flute in C. Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Pied Cormorant, Poet Victoria Norton, Musician Vanessa Tomlinson and clocked out percussion. Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

The Squatter Pigeon, Poet Bob Pacey, Musician David Joseph on percussion.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Poet Rachael Mead, Musician Colin Offord on Wedgetailed eagle Feather Flute.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Rufous Songlark by Poet DA Carter and Musician Brian Ritchie on shakuhachi.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Hooded Robin, Poet Brenda Dyack, Musician Jocelyn Moen, voice.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

This next group of photos show how the exhibition looked in the gallery across the six wall panels.  The idea was for the birds to lead the visitor in toward the great flock of birds and to try to create some visual movement akin with the way flocks of birds sometimes group, pull apart and re-group.

Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Poet Jane Frank, Musician Marisa Allen, voice. Compiled and mixed by Boyd

Brown Falcon, Poet Ariel Gordon, Musician Myf Turpin on piano.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

On the final weekend of the exhibition I gave a talk about Bimbleblebox 153 birds and invited the artists that were in attendance to speak about their artwork, while writer Gabrielle Sheldon read her poem.  Jo Bragg from EDO Qld was also able to give us an update on how the Bimblebox Nature Refuge currently stands with the proposed coal mining plans to resume and mine the property. The afternoon talks were an informal session which was also a lot of fun.  Thank you to everyone who came along and to all that spoke and contributed.

Dusky Woodswallow, Poet Beth Jackson, Musician Peter McIlwain on synth vocoder.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

The Channel-billed Cuckoo, Poet Lorne Johnson, Musician Ron Nagorcka on didjeridu.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

White-throated Gerygone, Poet Gabrielle Sheldon, Musician Kjell Samkopf on vibraphone.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Red-chested Button Quail, Poet Lou Steer “A twitchers diary”, Musician Ian Ahles on guitar.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Bush Stone Curlew, Poet Hazel Hall, Musician Colin Offord on Eagle Feather Flute, Bamboo Horn and Bamboo Windpipe.  Compiled and mixed by Boyd.

Next Bimblebox 153 Birds will be installed at the Brisbane Writers Festival as part of  Ampers&nd, 2 – 6 September. See BWF

Thank you to:

Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO for his speech to officially open Bimblebox 153 Birds.

Boyd who coordinated the musicians, then compiled and mixed the musicians bird calls with the writers audio.  Boyd and Alison also flew up and helped install.

Glenda Orr for her support, advice and help on many aspects of Bimblebox 153 Birds

Alana Brekelmans, Paula Quintela, Jennifer Eurell, Gabrielle Sheldon & Jo Bragg and your wonderful photographs.

The install crew:  Glenda, Alison, Boyd and Jacek

Susan Goddard for her amazing work to coordinate the afternoon tea at the opening and thank you to Gerald and everyone else who helped to set up,  brought the teapots, coffee pots and urn and all of you who brought a plate of food to share.

Jody MacDonald for writing and distributing the press releases.

Thank you to the artists who donated extra artworks for sales.  Many people purchased bird prints at the opening and the money raised offset the hire of the gallery and some other costs associated with the exhbition.

Thank you goes to all the amazing Artists, Writers and Musicians who have each contributed an artwork, written piece or musical bird call interpretation for the birds of Bimblebox.  Without each of you believing in this project it would not have been possible!  Over the two years of building 153 BirdsI have shared with you some of your joys and sadnesses through our emails, as life and all it brings continues apace.  It has been a joy to connect with you all and I feel I have made many friends along the way.  Thank you for your support, committment and trust.  Thank you especially for giving a voice to the Birds of Bimblebox.

And just one more thank you – to my family.  Just like everyone else we have been through a great deal over the time Bimblebox 153 Birds was being built and it has been wonderful to see this collection of Bimblebox birds emerge into the world.

Jill Sampson