A Nest in the Hills, The Symbiosis of Women and Birds in Contemporary Australian Art
Group Exhibition, Mudgee Arts Precinct, December 2025
ARTIST STATEMENT: These works explore the layered experience of identity and individuality and the collective nature of being a woman and a mother. I have used birds and flowers that as metaphors to articulate the quiet, often unseen complexities of nurturing, growth, and self-discovery.
Birds, with their fragile and free nature, express my own tensions between care and autonomy, solitude and connection. Representing both the instinct to protect and the desire to take flight — to create space for myself beyond the many roles I inhabit. The flowers symbolise cycles of life, body, and art-making. Together they reflect transformation and resilience. Over the last few years these cycles have taken on new meaning as I navigate caring not only for my children but also for an aging parent. Watching both beginnings and endings unfold deepens my understanding of what it means to hold space for others while still seeking my own growth.
My process is contemplative and intimate, layering charcoal in a push/pull dynamic to reveal inky colours and textures as a way of making sense of myself. The act of creating becomes a way of reclaiming stillness and presence in a world that demands constant attention.
Through this body of work I hope to express the quiet strength found in womanhood through care, the complexity of identity, and the beauty that emerges from both solitude and connection.
All works in this collection are created with ink and charcoal on wood panel, 100cm x 76cm, deep 4cm profile, ready to hang
Inner Harmony - I see motherhood as a quest for harmony, a continuous journey to balance love, responsibility, and self. Trying to create balance between chaos and calm, giving and receiving, guiding and letting go. A hope of finding beauty and balance in the imperfection of everyday life. The Superb Lyrebird, heralded for its amazing mimicry, has been called “The Speaker of all languages” symbolising balance, harmony and creative voice. Also known for its introspective nature it represents my inner voice, the quiet, creative pulse that thrives in solitude. The Olive Tree branches, ancient and enduring, embodying peace, resilience and the cyclical beauty and generosity of Mother Nature.
Embracing Self - The Superb Fairy Wren often seen as a symbol of freedom, adaptability, and loyalty. These birds live in small groups with complex social structures signifying the importance of social bonds and community. Their adventurous and loyal nature embodies the quiet confidence that comes from exploring lifes options before settling and embracing one’s authentic self, something I am trying to do more and more. The magnolia flower represents strength, self respect and is often associated with yin, female energy. The grid of twelve blooms represents a wish for order, which often fails for me, to be a quiet anchor for the whirlwind of my ideas, dreams, and responsibilities. Together they are a reminder of the importance of self-love,that beauty is not defined by perfection, but by presence and self-acceptance of the imperfect.
Joy Flight - This work celebrates the quiet poetry of nature, the rhythm of life and the deep connections that sustain us. Willie Wagtails are often found in pairs that stay together for life. They are chatty joyful birds that are also very protective and will fearlessly defend their territory. They are seen by some to be symbols of joy, protection, and good fortune and in some cultures even as spirit messengers and bringers of good and bad news. The blossoms represent the Hawthorn Tree which we have in our garden. It has also been linked to the spirit world and is considered a symbol of renewal, fertility and protection. The scattered nature of the blossoms in the background mirror the randomness and unpredictability of life and my busy mind.
Life Force - There is a life force that moves quietly yet powerfully through us and nature, the same energy that fuels imagination and artistic creation. Creativity is something I seek out everyday whether is one hour or many. Whether it’s art, gardening or making a home it is ever-present in my make up. The Eastern Spinebill, with its swift movements and ability to find nourishment in tricky places embodies vitality and the Kangaroo Paw with its quirky sculptural flowers stands as a symbol of creativity and resilience. I wanted to capture not just the forms of nature, but their spirit, that vital energy that inspires us all to create and grow.
Gallery Install at Mudgee Arts Precinct