Artist statement

Poison explores the delicate balance between life and death in ecosystems. The X-ray of a toad reveals its role in causing extinction through its potent poison. The skeletal structure symbolises the inevitable consequence of this toxicity, representing the silent demise of surrounding species. Against a background that resembles toad eggs, I evoke the cyclical nature of reproduction, highlighting the paradoxical coexistence of creation and destruction. Poison prompts contemplation on the interconnectedness of life, emphasizing the profound impact even seemingly benign creatures can have on the delicate web of biodiversity.

Process

The large-scale drawing has been created through many layers of drawing ink, graphite and coloured Conté crayons. The use of media creates a luminous quality to the subject matter that appears translucent.

About the artist

Animals have always been a big part of my art practices, but I never noticed, until recently, what risk all animals are at, in particular native Australian species. After I found out that human impact is the leading cause for wildlife endangerment, I new something should be done. The realisation that the subjects of my art were under threat due to human actions pushed me to channel my creative energy towards raising awareness and making a difference.