CEAD Panel 2026: Imagining our Symbiotic Future

Join three of Australia’s leading creative and environmental thinkers: Andy Marks, Maria Fernanda Cardoso and Marnie Ogg for a timely discussion around our symbiotic future.

Over the past three years, MAG&M’s CEAD (Collective for Environmental Art & Design) initiative has explored creative responses to climate change, collective action, biodiversity and sustainability in the art and design sectors. In 2026, we turn our focus to symbiosis, exploring how we can move beyond ideas of human impact and instead embrace models of mutual exchange, interdependence and living in harmony with nature.

The speakers will reflect on how creative and scientific communities are collaborating to develop more symbiotic relationships between people, ecosystems and the environments we inhabit and inspire new ideas for creating a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future.

Framed by CEAD’s principles - Act, Connect, Learn - the event aims to foster a dynamic and productive conversation, sparking tangible ideas for environmental stewardship and broadening our understanding of the intersections between art, design, science, and the natural world.

This event is part of the 2026 Environmental Art & Design Prize.

Free event - includes a welcome drink on arrival. https://events.humanitix.com/cead-panel-2026-imagining-our-symbiotic-future

Speakers:

Andy Marks is Founder and Executive Director of the Symbiocene Institute, a new not-for-profit driving nature-positive decision making by applying symbiosis as a practical framework for action and a motivating cultural narrative.

Maria Fernanda Cardoso is an internationally renowned artist who merges nature, art, science, and technology to transform unconventional and organic materials. Working across sculpture, photography, installation, video and performance, her work examines the connections and tensions between society and the natural world.

Marnie Ogg is the founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA) and a passionate advocate for the preservation of dark skies. Marnie is dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of light pollution on wildlife, human health, and the environment and works tirelessly to protect natural nightscapes through education, advocacy, and citizen science initiatives.