Wrapped wire and fabric bilby sculpture : Wilma Simmons 2016 Over the years I have been fascinated with the plight of the bilby and it has inspired quite a few of my cloth creations... With long pinkish-coloured ears and silky, blue-grey fur, the Bilby has become Australia’s version of the Easter Bunny. Unlike the rabbit, bilby numbers are falling rapidly. There were originally two species but the Greater Bilby is now commonly referred to simply as ‘the Bilby’ as the Lesser Bilby (Macrotis leucura) is thought to have become extinct in the early 1950s... Bilbies are nocturnal, emerging after dark to forage for food. Using their long snouts, they dig out bulbs, tubers, spiders, termites, witchetty grubs and fungi. They use their tongues to lick up grass seeds. Bilbies have poor sight and rely on good hearing and a keen sense of smell. To minimise threats from predators they’ll mostly stay within 250m of their burrows, but sometimes roam further afield depending on the food...
Belated, but nonetheless very sincere congratulations on your opening night, Wilma!
ReplyDeleteThis post to your blog, with the wonderful photographs, speaks volumes about the success of your exhibition. The first two photos taken from outside the Gallery and showcasing the area of your well- attended exhibit are so very creative and interesting. They effectively draw in the observer, making him feel part of the intimate scene - truly amazing. I particularly enjoyed the photo with Jim in the foreground - silent, supportive, steadfast partner at the ready.
You both have worked so hard to bring this event to fruition. Well done!!