Storm Over Curse 2020

This year hasn't started off great, with Australia's devastating fires, rising conflicts, and viruses linked to overpopulation and modern living. It's got me thinking about the state of the world, so I started a painting called "Storm Over Curse."

I used to live in the Riverina region of Australia, in the lovely city of Wagga Wagga. The stunning landscapes there always inspired me. But, despite the beauty, not everything was good for the land. Since white settlers arrived, Australia has dealt with the negative effects of introduced plants. One of these is Salvation Jane, or Patterson's Curse. It was brought over to feed sheep and did well during droughts, making it a valuable food source for sheep and goats. Sadly, it turned out to be toxic for horses and dairy cows, and now it's become a big problem.

My painting, "Storm Over Curse," reflects on these issues by combining two curses: the invasive weed and waste plastic.

The Worldwide Problem With Collecting And Recycling Plastic

The Collection Still Grows

I started the year finalising a collection for a small exhibition. The theme is likely to be more about urban landscapes, some abstract expressionist and colourful, and impressionist artworks created with recycled plastics and papers. I've been trying to gather works of a similar size that will hang together with some shared style rather than ones that make statements. Here are several new additions...