Wild Visions

University of Newcastle Gallery, 2013
Manning Regional Art Gallery,  2013

As human beings, we view the world from a distinctly human perspective, which is shaped by our experiences, culture, and the capabilities and limitations of our vision. If we were to imagine ourselves behind the eyes of animals, which can function within vastly different visual parameters, how might the world look from their perspective? As an artist, I am inspired by this question and the creative possibilities it presents.

Wild Visions was exhibited as part of my PhD in Natural History Illustration at the University of Newcastle. The seven illustrated species represent just a small selection of the animal world’s optical diversity. Four sets of works were included: a series of drawings describing the typical posture and ‘character’ of each species; and three sets of paintings that illustrate a close-up of each animal’s eye or eyes, a human perspective of each species, and my interpretation of the way each animal might see its own habitat. These interpretive habitats were mounted in curved supports, which encouraged the viewer to step within the confines of the painting and experience the scope of the animal’s vision.