Jim Cox
MONTVILLE STUDIO
CONSERVATION
Growing up in Melbourne Jim saw very few native animals! Over the years he lived in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville; slowly becoming a 'bushy' .
His two passions are now 'making art' and studying Australian wildlife.
Unsurprisingly he retired from teaching to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, 100klm north of Brisbane, and bought enough land to plant a rainforest and with his partner, ceramist Pam Maegdefrau.
Together they created an intimate wildlife sanctuary, a garden for food and pollinators. They love to welcome friends to their space.
Every day there is something to observe, to discover, to draw. And to slowly watch wildlife return to their natural environment. But so sadly the status of 'endangered', or 'threatened' species continues!
During Covid, Jim decided he would try to channel his anger into something positive.
Perhaps he could help us understand the damage we are doing?
Most native animals are nocturnal ... many Aussies have never seen nor heard of them!
There is so little awareness of the damage we continue to do.
Hoping to change this, Jim began a new series of works
Collaboration with Maleny author & environmentalist, Elaine Green produced 3 publications
The artwork created for an exhibition, 'SOS-Save our Species', became the basis of a book, which shines a light on this state of affairs, hopefully before we loose more of our unique fauna.
The titles of Jim's artworks put these animals on a war footing with us ...
"A Column of Kanga made cantankerous by Constant Culling" lined up like soldiers about to be mobilised; or ..."Militant Monotremes make a Move".. against a background of our historical rebel 'Eureka' Flag!
Elaine's words are cautionary, informative ... inspired by Jim's crazy, funny titles. But both their works are deadly serious; asking the reader to take note; take more care! SOS was launched, July 2022 and very well received.
A second project,"POP-Protect our Pollinators" followed and was launched on 25th Nov. 2023 to support the annual 'National Pollinators Week' in November.
Again artwork from Jim; wonderful research and words from Elaine; a successful exhibition and another great book!
Exploring the native fauna and flora that are native pollinators may be revelation for many readers ..
without them we would not have our forests or ouranimals dependent upon them.
The books are available to purchase online .. at SHOP
or through local bookshops and Landcare Groups on the Sunshine Coast, Qld
the success of this second body of artwork and publication was always going to encourage a third in the series
The next was ... 'FOF - Friend or Foe'. .. all about FERALS
The reality of our Colonial history is a sad read.
A time when privileged, Landed Gentry decided there was not enough sport in this new land to entertain them in the style they
were born to, brought in whatever they fancied; rabbits, foxes, stoats and ferrets for their shooting parties.
Sheep, cows, pigs and deer for their table, (despite the bountiful native animals that supported indigenous peoples for centuries.
And horses, donkeys, buffalo, camels for transport. Dogs and cats followed for companionship!
The result was a disaster as these became ferals, destroying native animals, their habitat and food sources
It did not take long for introduced animals to escape; or be let loose. The survival of the unique
and magnificent endemic fauna and flora of the Great Southern land to be at risk!
We still pay the price for that ignorance and arrogance.
hose actions have caused more extinctions than in any other country on Earth!
The destruction of our land and inheritance. The cost of removing ferals, is beyond reckoning and continues.
More recent additions, prickly pear, cane toads, fire ants! Lack of vigilance & knowledge caused these.
All of this is mostly from ignorance .. dangerous to our well being & national economy.
Jim hopes he can help Australians get to know our native animals and then .. how to love and protect them
