Circumnavigating ‘Bush Capital’ from the (bike) saddle by Sophie Baker

The failure of Australia’s extinction rate (the highest in the world) is ironic given Australia's Bush-Cherishing identity, created by impressionist artists, around the Federation. The endearment ‘Bush capital’ implies ‘The Bush’ is still the capital of Australia's identity. Yet Australian political policies continue to circumvent wildlife protections. Painting openair from mountain bike paths, Sophie ‘art’ Baker literally looks down on The Capital – from The Bush. Observing the interconnectedness of the environment, its creatures and people; Sophie’s work plays on light with a touch of …sand. Dipping in and out of wilderness and gardens, [near Belco Arts] the journey even circuits Parliament House; symbolically connecting Politics to The Bush. But for Sophie, the journey is mostly about overcoming [her own] fear of failure, one stroke at a time. Neglecting identity is a failure that deeply undermines the future. Journeying through an internationally significant ecosystem restoration project, the Centenary Trail, and Sophie’s art, attempts to draw a critical new hope into the picture. Baker states "We are bringing animals back from extinction* right here in our, Bush Capital!" And asks "Can we restore The Bush as pivotal in Australia’s identity (through a new movement of impressionist art, from the saddle)? Or will we fail? " (*on the main land)