Beneath the Snow of Kunama Namadgi Ed. 7 of 20

High up in Ngarigu country, on the rocky slopes of Kunama Namadgi (meaning ‘snow’ and ‘mountain’, also known as Mt Kosciuszko), lives the mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus). For up to seven months each year, small colonies of the critically endangered marsupial hibernate under snow covered boulder fields and rock screes, living off fat stores and a cache of seeds and berries collected during the short summer season. Yet above and around the hidden possum colonies, we build roads, alter waterways, allow feral animals and plants to thrive, and utilise their homes as our winter and summer playgrounds. Beneath the snow and boulders, the mountain pygmy possum is a silent reminder of the fragile interwoven natural and cultural ecosystems of Australia’s high country.

This limited edition (series of 20) of original solar plate etchings is created on 300 gsm Hahnemühle paper, 19 x 27 cm, unframed. The print itself is 15 x 21 cm.

Follow

I'm a printmaker, my work focuses on the natural patterns and intricate details found amongst Australia’s unique fauna, flora and ecosystems. I use various printmaking techniques to create finely detailed studies of my subjects, often within abstracted, multi-layered settings that reflect the habitats and environments of each subject.

I started my printmaking journey more than a decade ago as a way to record my observations during fieldwork in remote areas (I have a professional background in archaeology, palaeo-ecology and science communication). My inspiration is drawn from years of travel and research across Australia’s diverse landscapes, as well as from local volunteering activities. My current focus on the Canberra region and surrounding high country, and on its threatened species in particular, invites you to stop, focus on, and appreciate elements easily overlooked within the landscape – a flowering bud, a blur of feathers, or a finely flaked stone tool hidden amongst the leaf litter.