Red Handfish "On the Brink"

"On the Brink" is a stark portrayal of the critically endangered red handfish, a species teetering on the edge of extinction. This colour pencil drawing on black paper captures the urgent beauty of one of the last 100 individuals remaining in the wild, in Frederick Henry Bay, the home of this extraordinary creature.

In this artwork, the red handfish is depicted with precise detail, highlighting its vivid red colouration and distinctive hand-like fins that it uses to walk along the seafloor. The contrast of the bright red against the deep black background intensifies the focus on the fish, emphasising its critical status and the stark reality of its fragile existence. The use of black paper serves to underscore the ominous shadow of extinction that hangs over this species.

"On the Brink" aims to raise awareness about the perilous situation of the red handfish and the urgent need for conservation efforts. Through the medium of colour pencils, the drawing brings out the intricate textures and vibrant hues of the fish, capturing its unique beauty and the delicate balance of its environment. The minimalistic composition, focusing solely on the red handfish, highlights its significance and the dire need to protect its habitat.

The Handfish Conservation Project has been established to provide vital support to the Handfish of Tasmania. They address urgent concerns, and will work tirelessly, through effective collaborations between universities, government, citizen science and the public, to try to halt the decline in these iconic and unique Tasmanian marine species.

This print has been created from an original colour pencil drawing on black cotton rag paper (2022). The original image of the handfish was captured by Tasha Waller at Primrose Sands, Tasmania.

Prints are produced using the highest quality cotton rag paper with archival pigment inks with a fade resistant life of up to and exceeding 100 years.

The surface of the printed cotton rag paper is delicate and needs to be handled with care. . To avoid reflections from the glass, it is highly recommended AR70 non-reflective glass is used.

Prints are printed on demand, please allow 10-15 days for prints to arrive within Australia. A4 and A3 prints will be posted flat in a rigid mailer, A2 prints will be rolled into a mail tube.