VERGE
Art in support of endangered species: A group exhibition for IUCN red listed species on the Cape coast, Garden Route and Karoo, in South Africa.
10-30 November 2018
Knysna Art Gallery, Old Gaol, Cnr Main & Queen Streets, Knysna, South Africa
Artists: Amy Anstey | Annie le Roux | Chris Lochner | Gwendolyn Meyer | Hein Botha | Helena Joubert | Ingrid Coerlin | Ingrid Nuss | Jane Pitchford | Janet Botes | Jurgens Walt | Kali van der Merwe | Madelein Marincowitz | Nico Voges | Quentin Horn
Presentations by: Sue Swain (BioWise) | Dr. Louw Claassens (Knysna Basin Project) | Mark Dixon (Garden Route Trail) | Philippa Mallac (Sacred Earth Seeds) | Dr. Mark Brown (Natures Valley Trust) | Dr Dave Edge (Brenton Blue Trust) | Dr Chloé Guerbois (Sustainability Research Unit George Campus, NMU) | Dr Bool Smuts (Landmark Foundation)
Inspired and in support of REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR LOST SPECIES, which happens on NOVEMBER 30TH every year.
“People explore the stories of extinct and critically endangered species, cultures, lifeways, and ecological communities. Whilst emphasising that these losses are rooted in violent and discriminatory governing practices, the day provides an opportunity for participants to make or renew commitments to all who remain, and to develop creative and practical solutions.
Remembrance Day for Lost Species honours diverse experiences and practices associated with enduring and witnessing the loss of cultural and biological diversity. Participate in any way you choose – the annual theme can provide inspiration. Previous events have taken many forms including art projects, processions, tree planting, rituals and more.”
In South Africa there’s been some awareness about the dire situation with rhino and elephant poaching. Trophy hunting and canned lion hunting is also big problems for giraffes, lions and other large wildlife in our country. But what about the many other species listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list? Hunting, habitat destruction, farmer-predator conflict, over-harvesting, overfishing, bycatch and conventional agriculture poses great risks for our biodiversity, and when one species disappear it very often affects the entire ecosystem. Art has the power to stir the emotions of gallery visitors, and have the ability to pose questions that could change perception around important issues and how we deal with them.
A big thank you to the artists, Dr. Louw Claassens, Dr. Mark Brown, Dr. Dave Edge, Dr Chloé Guerbois, Sue Swain, members from the Outramps CREW, Mark Dixon, Philippa Mallac, Vernon Pendlebury, and Nanna (Helena) Joubert. A special thanks to Ricardo van den Lingen, Bernice Haman, Finn Rautenbach and Lindie Calitz, and everyone else who helped, supported and participated to make this such a great project!
Thank you to the amazing presenters and guides who shared their knowledge and passion for biodiversity as part of VERGE in 2018:
Dr Chloé Guerbois
PhD in Ecology (MNHN Paris) | Post-doctoral fellow: Sustainability Research Unit of Nelson Mandela University, George Campus
sru.mandela.ac.za
Sue Swain
Founder and executive director of BioWise, a social enterprise that aspired to bring about positive change by promoting the practice of biomimicry.
biowise.org.za | facebook.com/biowise.org.za
Outramps CREW
A CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) group of citizen scientists that find and map rare and endangered plants in the Southern Cape.
facebook.com/CREWCitSciZA | inaturalist.org/observations/outramps
Mark Dixon
BSc in Agriculture | MSc in Aquaculture. Environmental educator, guide, consultant.
www.gardenroutetrail.co.za | facebook.com/Garden-Route-Trail-202573065241
Instagram: @garden_route_trail, @photographymgd | Twitter: @coastalwalk and @mediamgd
Philippa Mallac & Vernon Pendlebury
Permaculturists, beekeepers, and seed guardians and growers: Sacred Earth Seeds
sacredearthseeds.co.za
Dr. Mark Brown
Program Director for the Nature’s Valley Trust. Honorary researcher at the School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
www.naturesvalleytrust.co.za | www.instagram.com/nvtrust/ | twitter.com/NVTrust | facebook.com/naturesvalleytrust/
Dr. Dave Edge
Entomologist | Conservation Director at Brenton Blue Trust | Former senior lecturer at the School of Environmental Sciences at North-West University.
www.brentonbluetrust.co.za
Dr. Louw Claassens
Marine biologist & current director of the Knysna Basin Project
knysnabasinproject.co.za
Bool Smuts
Director of the Landmark Foundation
www.fairgame.org.za | landmarkfoundation.org.za
Nanna (Helena) Joubert
Horticulturist, natural perfumer, artist, and volunteer at Pledge Nature Reserve
pledgenaturereserve.org
Janet Botes
Contemporary visual artist, designer, workshop facilitator & eco arts coordinator.
www.janetbotes.co.za
A percentage of art sales were donated to these local conservation organisations and initiatives that work towards the protection of species and their habitats, and towards research that enhances our knowledge and understanding of the current state of biodiversity.
Brenton Blue Trust
The Brenton Blue Trust (BBT) was founded in early 1997, and the trustees are all conservation bodies. Aims and Objectives of the BBT include the prevention the extinction of the Brenton Blue butterfly, promoting its establishment in its previous and other habitats, as well as supporting efforts aimed at conserving habitats necessary for the survival of other Lepidoptera species, in the interests of preserving biological diversity. The BBT also aims to promote nation-wide and international co-operation between individuals and organisations having aims similar to the BBT’s objectives.
Knysna Basin Project
The Knysna Basin Project is a scientifically focused Not for Profit organization based in Knysna, South Africa. The overarching aim of the Knysna Basin Project is to ensure the future conservation of the Knysna Estuary and the surrounding catchments. We believe that this aim can only be achieved through ongoing scientific research and the education of those that depend on the estuary and surrounding environment. As an organization, we work closely with management authorities and local groups to ensure the implementation of tangible management and conservation actions.
Landmark Foundation
Landmark Foundation is an NGO focusing on conservation in Southern Africa and leopard & predator conservation. The Landmark Foundation recognises that the intact natural landscapes of Southern Africa region are under threat from irresponsible human activities. These landscapes are now amongst our most treasured landmarks. The threats to these places are the result of land-uses that have degraded the aesthetic value of the areas and the biodiversity patterns and processes contained in them, and in most cases for short-term financial gain. What is required is a landmark change of thinking and behaviour, whereby biodiversity and landscape conservation provides investment returns and benefits to people, that in turn creates incentives for its conservation. The Landmark Foundation strives to build the conservation economy so that these landscapes can effectively be conserved.
Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT)
The Nature’s Valley Trust is a small community driven NPO working at the cutting edge of integrated conservation in South Africa. Operating in four main arenas, namely Conservation, Education, Community and Research. The NVT takes a holistic view of people and the environment, and use the four programs to help shape how people live, how they view the world around them, and how they as individuals can contribute to conserving the natural world.
Pledge Nature Reserve
Pledge Nature Reserve is a 10hectare declared nature reserve in the heart of Knysna, easily accessible at only 200 m from the Main road. The effect of leaving the bustle of town, and within minutes, finding the tranquillity of rustling leaves, babbling streams and birdsong, is nothing short of magical. The approximately 5kms of walking trails leads you past the lower-lying ponds, over streams, through forest and fynbos, upwards towards the viewpoint where you can rest and enjoy a stunning view of the Knysna Lagoon and Heads. There are over 300 species of plants and a 100 species of birds noted, and it is worthwhile spending some time here to fully explore this local gem.
Although the reserve was seriously burnt during the June 2017 fires it is thrilling to observe nature returning with vigour. Our Fynbos section especially, is quickly recovering and we are seeing species that have lain in wait for many years. Unfortunately, many alien invaders are also germinating, and we have been actively working towards clearing the reserve of these.
The Reserve is managed and maintained by the Pledge Nature Reserve Trust, a non-profit organization which is financed by grants, donations and ongoing fundraising efforts. The Trust is committed to conserve the natural systems in the Reserve for the benefit of all residents and visitors to Knysna, and to fulfil a most important environmental education function.