What does it take to bring the past to life?

Join Palaeontologist Sally Hurst, author of Found a Fossil: Digs, Discoveries & Australia's Deep Past as she interviews four Palaeo Artists who bring the past to life through their incredible artworks of the ancient world.

Together, they’ll explore how fossils inspire art, how artists reconstruct long‑extinct creatures, and why visual storytelling is essential for sharing Australia’s deep past. Expect behind‑the‑scenes insights into their creative processes, discussions about scientific accuracy and imagination, and a lively panel conversation about bringing ancient Australia back to life.

The session includes a guided discussion, audience Q&A, and a closer look at selected artworks featured in Found a Fossil. Perfect for fossil fans, art lovers, educators, and anyone curious about how science and creativity meet.

Zoom link for online talk: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/88406076580

Meet the Palaeoartists:

Nellie Pease is a Perth-based palaeoartist, scientific illustrator, and palaeontologist/archaeologist. She dabbles in sculpture, including making incredible models of creatures (like dinosaurs!) out of Easter egg foil. https://gondwanarama.com/

Ruairidh Duncan is a 'Whaleontologist' at Monash University, completing his PhD on fossil whales of Australia. He blends scientific research with detailed reconstructions (and the occasional hybrid creature) https://ruairidhduncan.artstation.com/

Ally Choi is a Korean-born tatto artist now based in Melbourne. She specialises in skeletal artworks of fossil creatures, from the Earth's earliest animals, to your favouite dinosaurs, and more recent megafauna. Check her out at @jurassic._.ally on Instagram.

Emil Herbert is currently doing their PhD in fossil sharks of the Cretaceous at the University of New England in Armidale. They love a travelling sketchbook, have some incredible art from digs in Mongolia, and blends bright colours with modern animal inspirations (@Emherbs98 on Instagram)