Mixed media on paper (675mm H x 565mm W U/F) Displayed in archival quality frame; 905mm H x 678mm W x 20mm D

Pulonok – After the Fire is a reflection on Kingia australis, or Pulonok/Bullonock in the local Noongar language. Kingia australis appear visually similar to the iconic Xanthorrhoea ‘Grass Tree’ species, but although they resemble each other, and react to fire in the same manner, they are not related at all. Instead of a single tall flower stalk per branch, Kingias display clusters of short flower stems growing from a single trunk. The appearance of new growth after fire and the contrast between these soft new shoots, fire-blackened trunk, grass like leaves and emerging flower stems was of particular interest. The sight of flower buds, even before any leaves appear, seemed especially beautiful to me. I employed a variety of media in this drawing to capture the many different textures and ‘feel’ of this regrowth: pencils, ink, gouache and collage.