Fiona Hiscock’s latest body of work is a continuation of her well known artistic practice of depicting Australia’s natural environment, particularly flora and fauna that is increasingly under threat by bushfire, drought and land clearing. Having been confined to a 5km radius for the past 18 months, Hiscock connected closely with her local surroundings including Royal Park in Melbourne, home to common birds such as wattlebirds, magpies, pigeons, lorikeets, swallows and ducks but also a range of seldom seen species in an urban environment – pardalotes, golden whistlers, rose robins, tawny frogmouths, parrots and birds of prey.
“Royal Park is on stolen land and there is a creek running through the park that would have once joined up with tributaries of the Maribyrnong river, a traditional gathering place for the Kulin nations. The very establishment of the park was a method for displacing the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, from the fledgling city.
Of all the parks in suburban Melbourne, this is the only park that was deliberately planted with native trees from it’s very beginning. Native trees were seen as less costly; they were recognised as drought tolerant as early as 1860 and did not have to be imported. 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
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Having exhibited extensively since 1993, Fiona Hiscock has been recognised in numerous national art awards and artist in residence programs. Most recently Hiscock was announced the Winner of the 3D modelled/carved award, Stanthorpe Art Prize, Queensland and as a finalist in the Klytie Pate Ceramics Award, Victoria. Artworks by Fiona Hiscock are held in important collections Australia wide including Art Gallery of Ballarat, Home of the Arts (HOTA), Parliament House, Shepparton Art Museum and Queensland University of Technology.
