Echoes of the North

The Cooktown Orchid, Queensland’s floral emblem, is both delicate and resilient — a fitting symbol of Australia’s unique botanical heritage. In this drawing, I sought to honour its vivid form and the quiet complexity of its structure using the intimate, deliberate medium of coloured pencil.
My practice is rooted in close observation and a deep appreciation of the native flora that shapes our landscapes and identities. This work invites the viewer to slow down and reconnect with the often-overlooked intricacies of nature — a quiet protest against ecological amnesia.

This drawing reflects the fragility of both the subject and its threatened ecosystems. In the context of WAMA’s dedication to environmental art and its setting near the Grampians, the work becomes a visual conversation between Australia’s diverse bioregions — from the tropical north to the temperate south — unified through art and care for country.