Melissa Dunstan

melissa dunstan

ARTIST STATEMENT
The human connection to their environment pre dates history. Birds and animals have been worshipped, revered, feared and hunted for centuries. This series of works is my response to some of the creatures especially birds, which are now under threat from environmental issues, such as habitat loss and global warming.

MELISSA DUNSTAN The Silent Observer, oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in, 2013 With natural habitat loss from tree logging in the America’s, the Great Horned Owl’s habitat has been increasing because they can readily adapt to their environment. This however has had a disastrous impact on other smaller species of owl, which the Great Horned Owl feed on. Species such as the Spotted Owl and Barn Owl are now under threat because the Great Horned Owl can prey on them and displace them.

MELISSA DUNSTAN Solitude, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches. 2013 Persian Fallow Deer once inhabited a large area, stretching from Tunisia in Northern Africa, right through the Middle East to the edges of Iran. Almost hunted into extinction, they now only occupy the woodlands of Iraq and Iran. With continued war in this region, exact numbers remaining are unknown.

MELISSA DUNSTAN Australian Sunbird (Olive-backed), oil on canvas, Olive-backed Sunbirds inhabit coastal regions of tropical North Queensland. Global warming has triggered an increase in cyclones and severe weather activity, impacting on the environment and devastating large areas of habitat. Many species of fauna and flora are affected by cyclone destruction, particularly as there is now less recovery time between the damage.

MELISSA DUNSTAN Pacific Robin, oil on canvas, 22 x 22, 2013 Pacific Robins are found throughout the Pacific Islands including Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They have recently been listed as an endangered species in Norfolk Island due to a rapid decline in numbers from habitat loss.

MELISSA DUNSTAN Australian Sunbird (Olive-backed), oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in, 2013 Olive-backed Sunbirds inhabit coastal regions of tropical North Queensland. Global warming has triggered an increase in cyclones and severe weather activity, impacting on the environment and devastating large areas of habitat. Many species of fauna and flora are affected by cyclone destruction, particularly as there is now less recovery time between the damage.

MELISSA DUNSTAN Just the Two of Us, oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in, 2013 Less than 12% of Adelaide’s native vegetation remains after European settlement in 1836. Disintegration and destruction of the local habitat has resulted in great biodiversity loss and many native species are under threat. Species as with the Superb Fairy Wren are now restricted to isolated areas, mostly within the Adelaide Hills. sold - now living in Japan !

MELISSA DUNSTAN Arctic Tern, oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in, 2013 Arctic Terns are found worldwide and famous for their annual migration from their Arctic breeding grounds, to the Antarctic and back again. Their populations decreased considerably in the nineteenth century as they were hunted for their feathers (used to decorate hats). Arctic Terns are a threatened species, but numbers have been on the increase in recent years

MELISSA DUNSTAN Silver Gulls, oil on canvas, 22 x 22 in, 2013 Silver Gulls are very common seabirds however as with all marine life, are dependent on a pollution free environment for survival. Oil spills, garbage and refuse in waterways, continually wreak havoc on the environment and ecosystems and all life forms dependent on them.

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On behalf of the Gallery we firstly acknowledge the land now known as Australia belonged to a Nation of People,widely sophisticated, Aboriginal people of Culture, With Gratitude to our Elders past, present and emerging, the Country's ancient Cultural heritage. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.
We hope that by sharing the Stories of the Artworks more attention is paid to the land supporting us through the emmense Generational Knowledge of this Country Aboriginal people have.