The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the largest of three species of wombats native to Australia and is found only in two small, arid regions of Queensland. The wombat is not only a marsupial, it is the world’s largest burrowing herbivore. It is the closest living relative to the Koala. However in contrast, it lives underground, eats grass, and will dig extensive tunnelling networks. Because of this activity it’s pouch faces backwards to keep it from filling up with soil. At the time of European settlement, declines were based on competition from domestic livestock. Now only occurring in small and protected areas, the wombats are impacted by competition with native species, weather and fire events, and loss of genetic diversity. In other wombat species due to the burrow environment, Sarcoptic Mange is devastating populations. The NHN Wombat has not yet been affected simply due to its isolation. The NHN Wombat is listed as Critically Endangered with less than 200 individuals remaining.

This piece forms part of a themed collection that is focused on protected, threatened, and endangered Australian species. Through the expansion of European settlement, many species have been displaced by human encroachment, changing fire patterns, victims of predation, or have been exposed to disease. Raising awareness remains as the most significant challenge in the effort to reduce these possible outcomes. These represent the absence of the existence of wildlife in their natural environments.

This series has specifically utilised heat, flame, and soot to achieve the varying golden browns and charcoal greys present in the finished artwork.