‘Petrichor’ 2020

These two pieces will be on display at Brunswick Street Gallery in Australia for their ‘Grayscale’ Exhibition in February 2021 (postponed due to the pandemic). My work was chosen as the official show image.

Is it there if it can’t be seen?
Did it happen if no one saw it?

​Dusting footprints, exposing trails, bringing attention to what was always there, but no one noticed.

​Petrichor is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.

A smell that you will only have experienced if you, like me, frequent the woods.

A smell that many more may have experienced due to lockdown.

I have noticed a rise in people (adult and child alike) spending time in nature.
Enjoying the effect it has on the soul.

Sadly forests have burned due to those who can’t be bothered to think about others or take any responsibility for their own actions.
Many animal lives have been lost and 550 acres have been desecrated by someone’s actions and a disposable BBQ.

I really do hope that whoever caused this is feeling the pain and the loss that the forest is feeling. I hope that they know it was their error that made this happen and that they will work for the rest of their lives to restore forests. I hope that they will become self aware and realise they are just one cog in a sea of humans and each needs to play their part.

Alas, I expect this is not the case.

I had hoped this shared experience would alter us all and form a more connected society. But 4 months on, we are no better.
If anything, we seem worse.