Artists and friends on Bimblebox Nature Refuge, September 2012

The Bimblebox Art Project was begun in 2012 by artist Jill Sampson who continues as co-ordinator.  Its aim is to creatively engage with and to document the Bimblebox Nature Refuge which is under threat from coal mining.  Art/science/nature camps, exhibitions, writing, music and academic research have been some of the outcomes of this project.

The Bimblebox Nature Refuge is an 8000 hectare area of diverse woodland in the desert uplands region of central western Queensland. Bimblebox is protected by a Nature Refuge Agreement with the Queensland State Government but unfortunately nature refuges are not protected from mining.  Waratah Coal plan thermal coal mines which would develop both open cut and underground long wall mining on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge.

Understanding the muliple proposed mining developments for the Galilee Basin has brought a realisation of the greater threat to life on Earth from generated carbon emissions if the Galilee Basin is developed for thermal coal export.  As well as an understanding of the extensive and irreversible impact of large scale coal mining on groundwater reserves, agriculture and ecosystems

The Bimblebox Nature Refuge combines thriving vibrant ecosystems with sustainable beef production.  On Bimblebox both conservation and agriculture work together.

Bimblebox Art, Science, Nature Camps:
Bringing artists onto the Bimblebox Nature Refuge and developing this work into a touring exhibition was the original goal for the Bimblebox Art Project.

Diverse artists have gathered at the Bimblebox Nature Refuge each September since 2012.  At each camp the artists explore, make and develop art to document this part of Australia.  The artwork  creatively explores this place, is an archive of this threatened environment and makes comment on issues such as biodiversity loss, food security, water use and climate change while celebrating the vibrancy of life that currently thrives on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge.

Through their artworks the artists have explored the material, visual, historical, scientific and physical existence of the Bimblebox Nature Refuge while asking our community and our society as a whole what the future holds for this nature refuge and what human and societal value we place on it.

Exhibitions developed by the Bimblebox Art Project:

• Document://Bimblebox
• National Touring exhibition:  Bimblebox: art – science – nature
• Available for Touring:  Bimblebox 153 Birds

Research:
Depiction of Environment through Art, research thesis by Andrew Nicholson
Abstract is here.
Thesis is here.

This research project centred on a case study of the Bimblebox: art-science-nature touring exhibition, and associated media. The research project commenced in February 2016 and completed in 2018, surveying of a range of people who interacted with the exhibition, either through its physical display, its paper catalogue, or the companion digital catalogue app designed for the exhibition.
more information on this research here.

facebook:
Bimblebox 153 Birds