Bringing endangered species to life through art

In 2024, the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, in collaboration with Charles Sturt, launched the Understories exhibition. This immersive installation highlighted the interconnected stories of eight critically endangered species from local ecological communities. The exhibition featured multimedia storytelling through sculpture, video, audio, and text, creating an engaging experience for visitors.

The project raised awareness about the plight of endangered species and their habitats. Supported by the Country Arts Support Program and Eastern Riverina Arts, the exhibition aimed to foster a deeper understanding of ecological conservation and the need for sustainable practices.

Charles Sturt academics, including Associate Professor Christopher Orchard and Timothy Crutchett, played a key role in creating the exhibition. Their research focused on the impact of environmental changes on species like the Bogong Moth and Pale-headed Snake, using interactive mechanisms to illustrate these effects.