Melbourne based ceramicist Fiona Hiscock’s latest body of work continues her artistic practice of depicting Australia’s natural environment, particularly flora and fauna that is increasingly under threat by bushfire, drought and land clearing.
Restricted to a 5km radius during lockdown for 18 months, Hiscock connected closely with her local surroundings, including Royal Park in Melbourne, known for its native and indigenous foliage, providing habitat for native birds and pollinators: common birds such as wattlebirds, magpies, pigeons, lorikeets, swallows, and ducks as well as pardalotes, golden whistlers, rose robins, tawny frogmouths, parrots and birds of prey.
Fiona Hiscock, Ficifolia and musk lorikeet vessel, 2021, stoneware, 41 x 20 x 21cm. Courtesy the artist Jan Murphy Gallery, Queensland
‘Importantly, the park contains significant areas of scruffy and scrubby natural bush, again, deliberately left as it was experienced back in 1854. Preserving this space has become imperative for the people who have found solace here during the covid lockdowns, but far more importantly, the species that depend on it for survival. This exhibition presents the birds and plants I see regularly in Royal Park, and attempts to highlight the precious nature of our environment. I hope these notes encourage reflection of our broader history and the heart that lies within the park.’ – Fiona Hiscock, 2021
For artworks and full artist statement, visit the Gallery’s website.
Jan Murphy Gallery
28 September to 16 October 2021
Queensland
