Australian flora and fauna on the world stage

I want to take you back to Wednesday 1st May 2019.

I was meeting with leaders at The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington D.C. with my client, Anthony Bastic (CEO AGB Creative) and Rebecca Allen (Australian Embassy). We were discussing if Smithsonian NMNH was interested in hosting AGB Creative’ digital immersive exhibition, “Beauty Rich and Rare”. This historically important story is of Sir Joseph Banks (Botanist, Artist, Explorer) and his expedition to Australia in 1770 to document Australia’s unique flora and fauna. The exhibition also recognizes Australia’s first peoples with a rarely seen drawing of the first campsite on the shores of Australia and other significant indigenous artifacts.

During the meeting, the offer came swiftly from NMNH to host “Beauty Rich and Rare”, given the stunning digital interpretation from the original drawings, and treasures held in the archives at the Museum.

The exhibition opened to acclaim last week, attended by senior Australian politicians, dignitaries, and special guests. We are proud that AGB Creative is the first Australian company to be hosted by the Smithsonian’s NMNH and “Beauty Rich and Rare” is their first digital exhibition.

Fast forward to January 15th, 2020.

Australia is on fire. These unprecedented fires started in September 2019, continue to burn and are having a monstrous impact; lives lost, livelihoods decimated. We have all been shocked by the devastation of our treasured flora and fauna. As Anthony eloquently stated during the opening ceremony, “it’s a timely reminder of the fragility and preciousness of our environment”.

On that May day in Washington D.C., we could never have imagined what was to come; it is even more poignant now that “Beauty Rich and Rare” is being showcased on the world stage.

The following link has details of the “Beauty Rich and Rare” (on show through to 5th July). The team at the Smithsonian NMNH has also generously included a link for donations to the bushfire relief fund. Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History

Finally, I want to give a massive call out to WIRES (Wildlife Rescue Service) whose work is as remarkable as it is heartbreaking. Details can be found here: WIRES

Australian’s are resilient – and we are seeing the best of how we come together during times of crisis. Calls for significant changes to protect our precious environment are starting to be heard with strong support from around the globe. We must ensure that the species documented by Sir Joseph Banks 250 years ago remain in their natural environments for centuries to come. Our unique and breathtaking flora and fauna are depending on us.