Inspired by Ian Ibis, Sharon Hammond’s words and Matt Mawson’s sketches explore the diverse possibilities and constraints of bird life on the urban fringe. April 1st is announced as a new national, except in Tasmania, public holiday: National Kiss An Ibis Day. There’s an enchanting portrait of Mona-Ibis contemplating the world from the gallery wall while the Daily Fake announces ‘An Ibis Took My Baby’.

            Some listeners will remember Matt Mawson’s graphics for 4ZZZ in the early days of the station.  Some may recall his work for the Cane Toad Times. The indefatigible Mawson has delivered again.

           Presenting the world from the various points of view occupied by Ibis on the fringe of our throw-away society, this little book presents a birdy parallel to the recently published manifesto from Richard Dennis: ‘Curing Affluenza’. It shows how the urban Ibis is truly a clever bird who has learned to live in harmony with one of the most awful incongruities of nature: homo sapiens. Mawson’s cartoons bring out the best of the ibis and the worst of us.  It is a symbiotic harmony.

         Sharon Hammond’s stories accompanying the drawings, play with humour and wit on the feral nature of both players in this drama: the birds and the humans. Her little stories expound on the beautiful balance that enables this relationship to flourish.

        Brisbane’s South Bank and the City Botanic Gardens, both maintained at considerable cost to the rate payers of Brisbane are no doubt home to one of the largest urban populations of Ibis - one of our most photographed tourist attractions.  Now if only there were a levy imposed on social media sharing of Ibis pics, we’d be in the clear for the cost of continuing these giant bird playgrounds.

A great purchase for Christmas, a late Christmas present, or birthday or just as a reward for being. I Am Not A Bloody Bin Chicken can be purchased direct from Matt and Sharon through the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/iamnotabinchicken/shop/?rid=138051936798585&rt=39