Walking within a grassy woodland has just been installed along St Kilda Road, right next to the new Anzac Station in Melbourne. The artwork is a collage of photographs and lumen prints I have created, simulating a grassy woodland. It includes groups of different plant communities including native grasses, trees and Australian shrubs found prior to settlement and observed on my daily walks.

My inspiration for this artwork came after visiting the State Botanical Collection of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria where I read reports and letters by Ferdinand von Mueller, botanist and director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (1857-1873). Mueller rode on horseback on three extended explorations of Victoria in the 1850s, collecting specimens and writing observations about the indigenous plants of Victoria. 

The artwork was commissioned as part of a collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Metro Tunnel Creative Program. Thanks to Metro Tunnel Art and Global Art Projects Melbourne for this wonderful opportunity. Photo: Kit Edwards.