Psidium (2021)

Black porous-tip pen on handmade paper (plant matter, grass, leaves)

Each piece measures 28cm x 20cm (total of six pieces)

Being the Latin word for “invasive”, the title encompasses the entirety of this series. Psidium is a drawing project which magnifies elements in our environment that are discarded and forgotten by humanity. These overlooked endemic flora species possess the identity of native Australia and the lengthy history connected to it. Unfortunately, the population of these scarce species continue to decline due to the domination of invasive plants. Since colonisation, the biodiversity of Australian ecosystems has plummeted dramatically, taking with it some of the most beautiful species which are unique to this country.

The paper used in the artwork is handmade from collected invasive plants. This labour intensive process formed the support on which the drawings were created. My research identified six species of native Australian plants which were at high risk of demise due to invasive vegetation. These endangered species were drawn onto the unique paper using a fine porous-tip black pen. The struggle for visual dominance between the fine linework and the texture of the paper reflects the competitive relationship between native and introduced species in nature.

Psidium is an environmental artwork which challenges the audience to consider how a continued disregard of the natural world will result in the deterioration of Australian species. These drawings act as a tribute of remembrance to these plants, suggesting that representations such as drawings will eventually be our only way to access imagery of these organisms. Psidium is situated in my practice as a continuation of encouraging audiences to look beyond contemporary life and consider humanity’s intrinsic reliance upon the natural environment, questioning at what point did this relationship depart from being symbiotic?