Gouldian Finches Symphony

Irene Manion

Size: 54cm x 54cm
Machine and hand embroidery using long-stitch and traditional free-machining techniques.
Appliqued onto a digitally transfer-printed background

Gouldian Finches used to inhabit central and northern Australia in vast numbers. Flocks of thousands of these small birds would descend on waterholes, creating flickering moments of intense colourful movement. They live and feed on the tall native grass varieties. A few years ago, they were there in their thousands. Today they are there in groups of twenty or thirty. Loss of habitat is a primary cause for their numbers diminishing in the wild. The only reason why they are not endangered is because their beauty has led to them being bred in captivity in large numbers.