Coming Soon…. Botanica @ Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

The Art of Disguise & Deception Exhibition

Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
5-21 April 2025

I am extraordinarily happy to be invited to take part in this exhibition, showcasing alongside some of Australia’s most distinguished botanical artists. A special thank you, to curators Alissa Cook and Katharine Rogers, (and Judy Dunstan) for all their efforts bringing this event to life.

On display will be Arcturus from the Astrobotany Tetryon series.

Australian botanicals are at the heart of this study. Generally overlooked in favour of the showy allure of cultivated flowers, Australian natives conceal a raw, understated beauty, which is both subtly complex and quietly resilient in the face of adversity. This project reveals the intricate narratives hidden within our wild flora, challenging preconceived notions of beauty and value, and revealing an authenticity which conceals itself within the ordinary.
Worlds normally invisible to the human eye, hidden and disguised, are shot from a bee’s perspective using UV light. Using this technique, the viewer becomes privy to a whole new universe. Each image capture takes hours to achieve. Furthermore, the unpredictability introduced by balancing and bending light, means that no two images are ever the same. This unpredictability mirrors my exploration of Australian flora’s hidden narratives, encapsulating themes of impermanence and transience while embracing the quiet beauty, release and acceptance found within imperfection.

Proceeds from the sale of artworks will go to funds for Foundation & Friends and the Education Access Program.

Thelymitra ixioides and Orthrosanthus multiflorus artwork (second slide) by @judy_morris_artist