Inspiration: It’s really amazing how many variations of Black Cockatoo we have in Australia - across the continent and yet still so unique to each region. The Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo is endemic to Western Australia and though it’s not as brightly coloured as it’s cousins in the east, it’s still a stunning bird and deserves it’s status as an Icon! 

Artworks by Maegan Oberhardt highlight many species of wildlife native to Australia. This piece forms part of a collection of artwork that expands environments, composition, and the use of compatible media within the piece. The primary connection within her art is in the technique. It is man-made fire burning paper (which is a by-product of trees). This comments on the conflict between man and nature. The result of that conflict is that most wild species are directly impacted by man’s carbon footprint.

This series has had a foundation of watercolour painted on the sketch to create a more accurate depiction of the subject. In addition, soot was utilised to achieve the variety of charcoal greys present in the finished artwork.