46. Sarah McDonald
Title: Sentient Beings
Category: General
Dimensions (cm): 120h x 180w x 6d
Medium: Oil On Linen
Statement:
“The Adelaide Park Lands is unique to this city. What makes it stand out is the way each park is bordered by our iconic, mature and majestic Eucalypts. The Gum tree is an iconic and essential part of Australia’s natural environment. Through my work as an Artist for the past two years, I have been observing, researching and documenting various families of gums around our beautiful city.I began to research the biological processes of forests which deepened my understanding of not only the gum trees’ environmental importance but also the similarities to human social structures in the way forests support each other. I soon began to realise these living entities are much more than simply grand, rustic beauties lining our Adelaide Park Lands.
A recent development in our city parklands have put 37 Eucalypts in total, 7 different species, under threat, and that is only the Eucalypts.
Through this painting, I aim to inspire people to form a new appreciation for these ancient natives and make people notice them more. Admiring the beauty in these Gums under threat will help form a new respect and awareness of their importance in our environment. I encourage people to reflect on the beauty, individuality and perhaps most importantly, the impact that these gentle giants of the plant world have in our lives and communities. In the age of climate change, there is perhaps nothing more important than protecting the lungs of our earth.”
