It was so exciting to launch my installation at the Canberra Hospital Adolescent Mental Health Unit this week. What a privilege to work collaboratively with young people on art that may make a positive impact on adolescent mental health outcomes.
In this series native flowers have become symbols of renewal - abundant after the La-nina rain they are a reminder that hope can sprout and grow from a mere seed and of how precious this place is, how fragile our climate is and how we must take urgent action. The flowers sprout in surreal landscapes in which water ebbs and flower freely like our emotions.
Inspired by my walks in Canberra Bushland in which I smell the eucalyptus and the fresh Canberra air and delight in finding intensely coloured and exotically shaped luminous gems in the grass. Predominantly yellow and purple flowers glow against the multiple hues of green.
Being present in Ngunawal country, immersed in the bush gives me joy and comfort and I am so grateful for the continuing care the Ngunawal people have given this place.
Some of the flowers pictured have been used for thousands of years in Ngunawal culture as food and medicine – their value to human existence beyond aesthetic and symbolic - life sustaining and enriching.
