Collection: Circumnavigating ‘Bush Capital’ from the (bike) saddle | Sophie Baker

West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre | Exhibition: 28 March - 18 May 2025

The failure of Australia’s extinction rate (highest in the world) is ironic given our Bush-Cherishing identity, created by impressionist artists, around Federation. The endearment ‘Bush capital’ implies ‘The Bush’ is still capital to our 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 our 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 our 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. We are bringing animals back from extinction* right here in our, Bush Capital!  

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)