50 Elkhorn drawings

In an age of accelerating climate change with the rapid destruction of our natural environments, I believe it is timely to focus attention to celebrate and document the botanical world. Creating and exhibiting drawings of organic forms invites reflection on their fragility and vulnerability in a time of environmental change.

Drawing natural forms has been one of my artistic preoccupations since 1999. 50 Elkhorn drawings was made from direct observation of an Elkhorn fern in a state of decay within a tropical garden. I was entranced by the beauty and mystery of its skeletonised form. Yet, its decay also carries an ecological significance — as it breaks down, it creates a rich compost that nourishes other plants, supporting the cycle of renewal.
The fern’s intricate structure further provides habitat for small animals, insects, and other plants, playing its quiet yet vital role in the ecosystem.