Flame tree in morning light
I fitted in well with my new environment, but it
wildflowers all around me. This realisation has
was many years before I started to really appreciate
taken me into a state of higher awareness of the
the landscape that was all around me here in
beauty, light and the delicacy of the colours and
Sydney. Although I didn’t realize it, I had been
shapes of our native flowers. The light in Australia
looking at the world around me though the eyes of a
has a clarity and intensity that is unique – and the
European, albeit a very romantic one. The work I
flowers stand out vividly against the surrounding
was doing, including some large commissions, was
ochre and near-white of the sandstone soil in which
mainly figurative, depicting the human drama of life
they grow.
in various different themes.
What opened my eyes to the amazing, subtle
During the last two years I have embarked on
three monumental circles depicting the full glory of
beauty and untamed energy of the Australian bush
a day in the Australian bush. The first circle (titled
was a walk in one of the many national parks
Morning Light) comprises 25 canvases, with a
around Sydney several years ago. In a split second,
circumference of 100 feet (30.5 metres). It depicts
I saw the light and colours in the array of
the awakening of the day, starting with pre-dawn