Not Just Tattoos:
Reimagining Australian Botany
June 11th to September 28th
Life's Too Short Bar
β» art as a portal to the true nature within β»
Nature speaks to us every day, from the sunrise that awakens the land, to the way plants open up and receive the energy that feeds them. Animals move through their cycles, while we humans are growing more disconnected from it all. Technology is a blessing, but nature is the true source that nourishes us: visually, emotionally, spiritually. It is the peace we search for, often unaware that it has been there all along.
For over 10 years, my work and research have been dedicated to observing the subtle details that nature offers us: its beauty, its essence, and the quiet wisdom that invites us to look inward. Much of this vision has also been shaped by my experience as a tattoo artist. Through creating delicate, nature-inspired tattoos for others, Iβve learned how plants can carry personal symbolism, healing, and deep emotional resonance. My drawing process is slow and intentional, the same way I approach this series of botanical studies.
To me, being in nature means being fully present. Through this exhibition, I hope to offer moments of connection, stillness, and appreciation for what Mother Earth gifts us each day.
Focusing on Australiaβs native plants, these studies explore fragments of the natural world that captivate me daily. From well-known species to rare botanical gems, I invite you to look closely, to feel, and to connect with the true nature that lives in all of us.
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I want people to feel more connected to the plants they encounter daily, to see their beauty, their power, and the vital role they play in todayβs world.
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Even the simplest leaf or seed carries deep meaning, and deserves our attention. We are a reflection of the symmetry found in nature, and it speaks to us constantly.
As someone who works with nature through both painting and tattooing, I see how deeply it can touch others. In my studio, Iβve watched how a single flower or plant element can hold stories, memories, and transformation. This exhibition carries that same intention: to create space for beauty, meaning, and reconnection.
This project goes beyond the physical. It is a life mission, to bring more lightness, beauty, and connection into the world through art. Because art saves. Art heals.
Waratah
βWaratahβ was the first native flower that truly stunned me. Its deep, vivid red that seemed to pulse with life was impossible to ignore. As I painted it, I felt a powerful connection to its essence: resilience. The Waratah survives and regenerates after fire, thanks to its lignotuber, a woody swelling, that rests beneath the soil. A quiet strength buried deep. To the Aboriginal peoples, it symbolises courage, healing and renewal. In many ways, it became a reflection of my own journey: beauty that rises after difficulty, blooming again, brighter.
Golden Wattle
& Eucalyptus
Melbourne was my first home in Australia, and itβs where I first met the Golden Wattle and Eucalyptus. Though common in the local landscape, these trees struck me deeply. Their contrast, their symbolism, their quiet power.
In this artwork, they weave together to form a floral mandala. A reminder that everything in nature is interconnected. The Wattle offers soft, golden blossoms and carries a sense of lightness and renewal. The Eucalyptus, with its fire-resistant bark and aromatic leaves, represents strength, survival, and grounding. Their coexistence marks the beginning of my journey in Australia, and this piece is a tribute to that connection.
Desert Raisin
Desert Raisin, also known as Bush Tomato, is a plant full of meaning, both culturally and nutritionally. Used for generations by Aboriginal communities, it goes by many names depending on the language group, a sign of its wide and lasting significance.
It produces both flowers and fruit, and is rich in vitamin C, iron, selenium and antioxidants, making it a true native superfood, that supports heart and immune health. Thriving in the arid heart of the country, it carries the strength of survival and adaptation. This piece is my way of honouring its quiet power and timeless importance.
Pink Rock Orchid
This interactive piece was inspired by the Pink Rock Orchid, a flower that blooms on rocks. As a lithophytic plant, it grows in the harshest conditions, yet expresses itself in delicate variations of pink, lilac and white. It became, for me, a symbol of resilience, of blossoming in spite of adversity.
Through this mirror, I invite you to pause and look inward. Can you see the same balance of softness and strength within yourself? This work is more than visual, itβs an invitation to reconnect with your essence and beauty.
Fuchsia
I found this flower during a quiet moment on one of my hikes through the Australian bush, tucked away in a small shrub, glowing with vibrant color. Though Fuchsia Magellanica is not native to Australia, it has adapted beautifully to the cool, shaded forest edges here. Its blossoms hang like delicate lanterns, and its fruit is edible, often used in jams and sweet recipes.
This piece is rooted in the feeling that trail gave me: a deep emotional connection to the women in my life. Fuchsia represents confident love, grace, and admiration. With this work, I honour the women who helped me become who Iβm and who inspire me to keep going.
Calla Lily
Lilies have always been my favorite flower, symbols of grace, purity, and emotional rebirth. In this piece, I created my own version of the Calla Lily: fluid, colorful, and full of motion. It reflects a personal dance into adulthood, one that began when I arrived in Australia.
This work carries quiet transitions, letting go of what no longer serves me, and embracing a more honest version of myself.
