tending to [2021-22]
illustrated guide bookPart of ‘tending to’, Kudos Gallery
Exhibited in UNSW ANNUAL 22, part of the James Gatt Tour
In April 2021, I was approached by Audrey Pfister to help be a part of an ongoing garden initiative and pop-up exhibition at the COFA / UNSW A&D Campus Garden which had been initated and tended to by Tess Allas & Clare Milledge since April 2018. What began as a small nursery and relaxation area has slowly evolved into a series of specialised beds according to their locations. A group of interested parties grew organically to include many other students and staff including myself. As part of my contribution, I wanted to put in writing and document both the history and diversity of the garden in an accessible and engaging publication.
Image description: Clare Milledge holding the ‘tending to’ document
Photo courtesy of Kudos Gallery [20 April 2022]
Over many months of scattered desktop research, I perused the internet archives for both primary and secondary sources from both scientists, botanists and Indigenous elders and was able to create a comprehensive document collating already existing sources into a single source. It was a really intuitive process particularly in the way in which I was able to follow leads and inquiries down untrodden digital paths, learning Indigenous plant names and uses and more. The whole process reminded me of how entwined our lives are with our natural environment. Learning of the significance of plants and their cultural, economic and social importance both then and now, our environments are a constant reminder of how reliant we are on ecosystems much more complex and misunderstood than our own and we must tend to our plants like family and friends.
Photo courtesy of Kudos Gallery [20 April 2022]
The 40+ page publication ‘tending to’ can be viewed here on issuu and merges my interests across in botany, sustainability, archives and respect towards First Nations knowledge. To accompany the book I expanded on my previous floriography inspired work ‘Angiosperm Affirmations’ and created Muhu tikand inspired pieces depicting the native plants growing in the campus garden. These illustrations are depicted below.
Photo courtesy of Kudos Gallery [20 April 2022]
Page 4 Illustration (Central Heart)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Plectranthus cremnus, Geranium sp. (G. homeanum/potentilloides/solanderi) & Carpobrotos glaucescens
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Page 5 Illustration (Central Heart)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cm
Page 5 Illustration (Central Heart)Image depicts Xanthorrhoea australis
Page 8 Illustration (Central Heart)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Westringia fruticosa & Callistemon sp.
Page 14 Illustration (Weaving Walkway)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Hardenbergia violacea & Melaleuca sp. (M. decora/stypehloides/quinquenervia/linarifolia)
Page 16 Illustration (Weaving Walkway)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Xanthorrhoea resinifera
Page 19 Illustration (Weaving Walkway)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Dianella caerulea/revoluta & Lomandra longifolia
Page 22 Illustration (Secret Garden)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Alpinia coerulea & Brachychiton acerifolius
Page 26 Illustration (Secret Garden)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Indigofera australis & Ficus coronata
Page 30 Illustration (Rainforest Gulley)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Ficinia nodosa, Asplenium australasicum & Viola hederacea
Page 33 Illustration (Rainforest Gulley)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Castanospermum australe & Austromyrtus dulcis
Page 36 Illustration (Rainforest Gulley)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Crinum pedunculatum & Hymenosporum flavum
Page 40 Illustration (Rainforest Gulley)
oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42.0 cmImage depicts Pteridium esculentum, Curcuma australasica & Backhousia myrtifolia
