As of the 1 September 2022, I have completed 159 drawings on my scroll and I have 2841 days and drawings to go.
Seeing the images on the scroll roll out across the floor always brings a gasp of amazement by the people seeing it for the first time – initially, the reaction is one of incredulity seeing all these plants presented in this way. Then, the discussion turns to the fundamental issues behind the development of the scroll. They get it.
- People “get” the idea behind the scroll, and they “get” the idea that there is a lot of beauty in nature that they perhaps have not looked at all that closely before. They are also “get” that even the most seemingly ordinary plants might be under threat because of the impact the changing climate is having in their local areas.
The days keep ticking over, and the scroll grows – it is now around 3.7 metres long
- I have rolled out the scroll quite a few times to people in Grenfell, NSW, now in conjunction with my solo exhibition (Through the Glimmering Night) currently on show at the Grenfell Art Gallery, and as part of a couple of workshops I am conducting for local Grenfell residents.
- The overall effect is becoming quite interesting, and people do find it intriguing as they discover plants familiar to them, and plants new to them. Add to the visual images the story behind the scroll and it makes for an interesting discussion with people about the issues around climate change, biodiversity, and so on.
The workshops, which relate quite closely to the scroll, are encouraging people to observe and record plants in their own local area. We did a “Diary for all Seasons”, and it was great to see how the workshop participants became more and more engrossed in what they were drawing – discovering new aspects of plants they thought they knew quite well.
- … I did not know that this eucalyptus leaf had veins like this …
- … look at the size of these leaves – they are so tiny …
- … how many seeds does this pod have …
- … I have never looked this closely at a lichen before …
- … look at all these different marks that insects have made on these leaves …
This is the best way to learn and to appreciate the beauty to be found in plants! Go Grenfell-ites! You are the best!