Exhibition Opening - Jenolan Caves - 13 September 2008

This exhibition has been brought together at Australia’s iconic Jenolan Caves to celebrate the efforts of the Global Crop Diversity Trust to provide a repository to protect the seeds of the world’s major agricultural crops in the event of a cataclysmic world event. The seed repository is housed in a man-made cavern deep under a mountain on Svalbard, Norway – just 1000 km from the North Pole.

The exhibition features works from 20 contemporary artists from around the world as well as a number of Australian artists including works by indigenous artist Gary Simon Jugamurra all works have a environmental theme that celebrates the treasure of nature in a location which in itself is a celebration of nature. The exhibition brings together three Trusts each of which has an environmental and conservation focus – the Global Crop Diversity Trust, Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust and the Botanic Gardens Trust.

Concept developer and curator for the exhibition, contemporary artist Jacqueline Martin-Miller, says “The works have been invited to challenge and stimulate and to encourage dialogue and awareness in the community. The artists share a common bond and individual awareness of eco-preservation, environmental and humanitarian awareness.

“The works are from some of the contemporary thinkers of our time, with diverse life experiences such as archaeology, animation, installation, hyper-surrealism, sculpture, geology, environment, humanity, farming, science and diversity of culture. The Trusts welcome artists Federico F Mendoza; Bronwen Kretz; Anton Olea; Stan Florek; Cuca & Jesus Maria Del Rincon (Puerto Rico/USA); poet Julia De La Rua; Australian prospector Martin Chafer; and Bathurst artist Martin Coyte.

“We also welcome Spain's environmental sculptor Miguel Ponticu; Vicente Heca; Korea's Lee So-Young; whose works will join Australia's Anne Graham; Gary Simon Jagamarra; Carlos Barrios; John Dahlsen; alongside outback artist Amber Martin; local Anna Kling; and Lithgow artist Les Love.  The contemporary works will unite under one roof at Caves House in an Exhibition to support the Global Crop Diversity Trust from 13 to 21 September 2008.”

Ms Martin-Miller added “This exhibition has been conceived at a time in history that is specifically more unpredictable than ever known in the past. In a world where the idea of growing 'Asparagus on Mars' is now tangible and not as remote as the idea of X-ray were less than 200 years ago.”

Global Crop Diversity Trust executive board member, Emeritus Professor John Lovett, will give a special presentation at the exhibition’s official opening on Saturday 13 September on Australia's key role in the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Professor Lovett will also give the presentation in a cave at Jenolan on Sunday, 14 September to emphasise the parallels of Jenolan as a place where the caves help provide an insight into the past and the way in which the man made cavern has been developed to preserve the treasures of today for the future.

Professor Lovett says “Australia was one of the first countries to recognise the importance of the concept of the Global Crop Diversity Trust and to make a substantial financial contribution towards the Trust attaining its objectives. 

“Long term conservation of the 1 500 000 unique crop plant ‘treasures’ under the auspices of the Trust moved a significant step forward this year with the opening of the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard.”

Professor Lovett welcomed the support of Jenolan Caves where, in September 2007, the visit of Lady Cecilia Carrington on 15 September 1887 had been commemorated.  Among her other accomplishments ‘Lily, Lady of the Cave’ was an early lobbyist for the conservation of Australia’s unique fauna and flora.  “In this,” says Dr Lovett, “she may have been particularly far-sighted, for our robust plants may yet prove to be hidden treasures in supplying future demands for food and other plant products.  I think we can be confident that Lady Carrington, could she have known as she stood in the Imperial Cave at Jenolan 121 years ago, would have approved of the work going on in the ‘treasure cave’ at Svalbard half a world away.

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Links:

1. Global Crop Diversity Trust
2. Jenolan Caves
3. Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens
4. Art Guide Australia