Growing up in Brisbane as a first generation Australian has instilled in me a deep appreciation for South-East Queensland. As an adult, I have come and gone from Brisbane extensively, and my relationship to my hometown has solidified with time. When I return after being away from home, the things that now bring me comfort are the winding river; the Jacarandas and Flame Trees in spring; summer thunderstorms, and the unusual shape of the native bunya pines.
Abundant throughout Australia and the southern hemisphere, the blanket of purple jacaranda blooms that cover Brisbane streets and line the riverbanks in springtime forms an integral part of our region’s identity. Despite being a non-native weed that is ubiquitous throughout the southern hemisphere, something about their presence each October feels uniquely ‘Brisbane’.
This work explores the visual nuances of these small luminescent flowers as they fall and blanket the grounds below. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the installation, and to take a flower with them as a reminder of place and memory.