Fluid Regeneration

Parramatta Wanderings: Paperbark 1.

Standing strong on the Paramatta river lands, the ancient paperbarks have witnessed great change. As a child I would peel pieces of bark from the trunk and brush the velvet skin against my cheek. I wanted to capture the flow and caress of the river through the movement of paperbark leaves. Many species of the Myrtaceae family have important material and medicinal properties. The local Darug and Dharawal communities use the prickly-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca styphelioides) for its antiseptic oils to treat colds, flu and infections

Parramatta Wanderings: Paperbark 2.

Standing strong on the Paramatta river lands, the ancient paperbarks have witnessed great change. As a child I would peel pieces of bark from the trunk and brush the velvet skin against my cheek. I was interested in the colours and forms I found within the layers of bark; taking me from a micro to a macro experience of place. Many species of the Myrtaceae family have important material and medicinal properties. The local Darug and Dharawal communities use the Melaleuca styphelioides (prickly-leaved paperbark) for its antiseptic oils to treat colds, flu and infections. The bark is also used to wrap and carry

Parramatta Wanderings: Native Raspberry.

Walking through Parramatta Park I noticed the native raspberry beside a creek. I made stencils of the leaf patterns, emphasising the veins which carry vital water and nutrients. Brushing ink washes over the stencils, I created transparent layers. Found throughout south-east Australia, the red fruit can be eaten

Parramatta Wanderings: Bracken Fern.

Curling from a vast rhizomic structure these ferns (Pteridium esculentum) dominated the coastal landscapes of my childhood. Like many first nations communities, the local Darug and Dharawal people harvest and carefully prepare the Gurgi’s young fronds and stems, as well as rhizomes for food and medicine. The stems are known to relieve insect bites and nettle stings. This drawing developed from noticing the striking shadow patterns of the fronds when the sun shone on my studio table

Parramatta Wanderings: Lomandra 2.

This drawing captures the spikey shadows of the dried seed heads of the Lomandra longifolia or Mat-Rush. It is wide spread across the sandy soils of Australia. The long, strappy leaves are used by many first nations communities for weaving and can be wrapped around aching body parts to ease pain. The seeds and fleshy lower leaf can be eaten and the flowers collected for their sweet nectar

Parramatta Wanderings: Lomandra 1.

This drawing was made by following the fluid lines of the interwoven leaves of the Lomandra longifolia or Mat-Rush. It is wide spread across the sandy soils of Australia. The long, strappy leaves are used by many first nations communities for weaving and can be wrapped around aching body parts to ease pain. The seeds and fleshy lower leaf can be eaten and the flowers collected for their sweet nectar

Parramatta Wanderings: Wattle Arcadia.

Whilst walking I was fascinated by finely divided bipinnate leaves of the Acacia parramatensis or Parramatta Wattle. In the winter sun the overlapping leaves created complex layers of interlocking marks. Many Acacia species are used across Australia by first nations people for material, food and medicinal purposes. Their seeds are rich in protein and their leaves, bark, gum, roots, and pods can be prepared and used medicinally to treat a range of ailments

Parramatta Wanderings: Wattle Arcadia 2.

Whilst walking I was fascinated by finely divided bipinnate leaves of the Acacia parramatensis or Parramatta Wattle. In the winter sun the overlapping leaves created complex layers of interlocking marks. Many Acacia species are used across Australia by first nations people for material, food and medicinal purposes. Their seeds are rich in protein and their leaves, bark, gum, roots, and pods can be prepared and used medicinally to treat a range of ailments

Entrance to Trabsit Lounge Parramatta wanderings: Casuarina by Antonia Aitken. In the 1980s my dad revegetated an area of the Murrumbidgee river corridor near Canberra. He planted groves of river sheaoak (Casuarina cunninghamiana). I still visit the river banks to listen to the trees whisper. I was reminded of these when walking in Paramatta Park. Many species of Casuarina have material and medicinal uses in first nations communities. The mature cones of some species are used to treat rheumatism and extracts from the bark can also be used as a general medicine. My dad spent much of his later years in hospital and I dedicate this drawing to him