Shifting Elements: Young Bega Valley artists creatively communicate their experiences of climate

In 2019-2020 Australia experienced a severe series of bushfires known as the Black Summer Bushfires. The Bega Valley Shire NSW region experienced some of the worst bushfires affecting approximately 60% of the shire (as well as Tathra fire in 2018). Four lives were lost, as well as a reported 467 homes and around 1000 other buildings. In addition significant numbers of livestock died; and countless wild animals and native forest were decimated.

In 2023 young people met in Bega and Cobargo with researchers and local artists, as part of the disARTster project, to enjoy creating art and to express their opinions and experiences around nature, climate disaster and climate.

Shifting Elements presented an exhibition of art and comments, opinions and experiences creatively communicated by a group of young people aged 12-22 years old who were living in the Bega Valley, experienced the Black Summer Bushfires and continue to experience climate disasters. Art works were presented in the exhibition alongside quotes from the young artists – the quotes were mixed up around artworks and were anonymous.