Twilight Bites: Sharks in the picture

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Ages: Recommended for 16+

With a distinctively ambient aesthetic, Michaela Skovranova has photographed the Great Barrier Reef for National Geographic, documented the Black Summer bushfires for TIME, and created a film about waters around Antarctica that launched at TEDx Sydney. She has documented humpback whale migrations in the Pacific and the dwindling populations of Grey Nurse sharks along the east coast of Australia. In all her work, Michaela has immersed herself in capturing intimate environmental and human stories.

Enjoy a drink and canapes on arrival before Michaela and the AM’s Climate Change Solutions Centre curator, Dr Jenny Newell, discuss bearing witness to Earth’s most magnificent environments, observing their changes and finding ways to champion their survival.

Following the talk, explore the AM’s Sharks exhibition where a dedicated Shark scientist will share their research and be on hand to answer your questions.

Michaela Skovranova is an Australian-based artist working in the field of photography and film. Michaela's work has focused on capturing intimate environmental and human stories - from documenting coral reefs and Great Barrier Reef restoration for National Geographic, the Great Australian Bight for Greenpeace and the aftermath of Australian Bushfires for TIME Magazine.

Her short films pick up the natural, ambient-lit storytelling where the images leave off, with her latest short film End of the World, which speaks to the devastating impacts of climate change in Antarctica, premiering at TEDx Sydney 2020.

Jenny Newell is Curator, Climate Change Projects at the Australian Museum. Jenny works on the cultural dimensions of climate change, focusing on communities in Australia and the Pacific. She aims to increase engagement in environmental stewardship through the medium of museums.

With a background in environmental history, Jenny has worked with Pacific communities and collections at the British Museum, National Museum of Australia, the American Museum of Natural History (New York) and the Australian Museum to amplify voices on climate change for broad audiences.

Richard Grainger is a PhD student at the University of Sydney. Richard recently submitted his thesis which, with collaboration from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, examines the foraging ecology of white sharks in eastern Australia.

Richard’s research combines a variety of methods including analysis of stomach contents, biochemical markers in shark tissues, and tagging with shark-borne video cameras and sensors to reveal the hidden lives of white sharks – their diet, feeding patterns and behaviours. His work provides critical information for understanding white shark movements, their interactions with people, and their management and conservation.

Sharks is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbuster Funding initiative.