Wanaka’s Chrissy Wickes spent 10 days last summer on Campbell Island — 700km south of the South Island — in a team monitoring the albatross’ breeding population, which unfortunately is declining.
Wickes, who was on her fifth visit, says it was "really physical, really tiring work, and so at the end of the day I did these really weenie little sketches, and from that, and taking photos obviously, I’d create back home the art from that experience".
She says it’s a privilege to stay on an island visitors otherwise can only enjoy on day trips.
"I think it’s almost necessary when you go to those really remote, awesome places to share it with others because it is hard to get to.
"And I also think unless people sort of hear about these places, it’s hard for them to care about them."
They have an impressive three-metre wingspan, which she portrays in some of her artwork.
"To be honest, it’s not a great situation for the royal albatross. It looks like from this year’s data as well like a 26% decline has happened since the 2000s."
Wickes says she was "super-chuffed" to be invited down again to Campbell Island, even though the temperature’s rarely above 12°C.
"At the same time, it was a bloody long time to be away from the family, and to miss Christmas, so I couldn’t do that two times in a row — I mean, it ended up being 12 weeks once you included the travel in a very small boat."
Wickes says she’s grateful to the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust for hosting the talk on the 24th, and to The Matrix Lounge, on Glenda Dr, for shouting thevenue.
She’ll be displaying 39 artworks, which will also be for sale, comprising prints and oil and acrylic paintings.
- Tickets for ‘Art and the Albatross’, February 24, 5.30pm-8.30 pm at The Matrix Lounge, $10 via Humanitix; nibbles included.
