Gamburra

This collection of images presented in book form details the evolution of one plant and its journey in an ever changing landscape. Each image was photographed at the National Botanical Gardens over the course of three years, starting in 2018. Each year I have gone back to document the changes in the plant. The first year there was a small bulb on one stem of the plant, which had a very opposing texture to the leaves, however since the first photograph this plant has not had any bulbs. Creating this piece of work took a strongly considered approach, with focus on the contrast between architecture and our native environment. I have had a long standing interest in papercraft for many years, and the way we can manipulate the medium to create objects which inspire the senses. I am particularly captivated by architecture due to the shapes, lines and form which are created by the changing light, placement and its environmental presence. Similarly, the environment provides an opportunity for the viewer to appreciate the unfolding nature of its growth. The intention behind this book is to represent the beauty of nature in a very concrete populated environment. In Ngunnawal language, Gamburra means flower. As these images were all taken on Ngunnawal land, I feel it is important to represent the way this land both maintains this beauty and hides it within the Canberra city scape. I believe it is important to represent this concept as an object that can be viewed as a larger picture. As this book is unpacked, it folds out into one large image with many contrasting lines and high contrast photographs. Produced on black card, this book is a monochrome documentation of a very colourful environment. Small pieces of brown card act as link between the man-made city scape and the raw clay surrounding the base of the plant. It also work as a base for small sections of written detail.