Galah's Playground

I'm excited to say that my artwork 'Galah's Playground' was a semi-finalist in the 15th International ARC Salon competition.

Inspiration: You will see flocks of Galahs all around Australia and where I live in North East Victoria is no different. They will fly in pairs but more often will be in amongst a group. I see them up in the gum trees as if it were a family Christmas gathering with all of the kids playing together. It is quite entertaining to see them swinging on branches, ‘hanging on’ by gum leaves and teasing each other while the parents look on then look away. Even as a storm approaches with the wind roaring and the tree branches becoming a wild rodeo - you can imagine them calling ‘let the games begin’!

Photo Credit: Jess Trezise

The Galah is an Australian native cockatoo species and is amongst the most abundant and widespread. Highly social and non- territorial, they will happily share roosting trees and food sources although minor squabbles do occur. Galahs display bouncing flight patterns; twisting and turning as they swoop towards the ground. They also have a tendency to become acrobatic when looking to settle on a perch as they have been seen hanging upside down, holding on by one foot, and all in conjunction with flapping their wings and vocalising! Although protected, farmers consider them to be a pest and continue attempts at eradication in order to reduce the impact that occurs on local grain production.