This year it's the 10th year anniversary since the "Habitat" project where, with Lynette (Spry) Letic, I visited and interviewed several gardeners from the Pine Rivers region in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

These dear nature lovers opened their precious gardens, and homes, to share their stories with us. My biochrome works present each garden through the transformation of its flora, while Lynette photographed gardens and their owners. In my biochrome process of image making I fuse plant matter and photographic materials over a period of time, letting natural processes transform each over time.

We documented the project in a dedicated blog to archive the process of the project, from meeting with participants to preparing for the exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery (last image), and we hope to give viewers an insight into the gardens we spent time in, the people we spoke to and the stories they shared.

Peter, whose garden is represented in this artwork, said:

Pater also gave a public talk "How to attract wildlife to your garden" as part of public program during the exhibition.

Why gardens?

Gardens play a significant role in the lives of many people. A garden can stimulate peace and tranquillity, provide fruit and vegetables seasonally, or be a place for family gatherings and social events. It can foster fitness and recreational activity, or encourage a connection to nature, whilst prompting a sense of pride and achievement in the owner. Residential gardens are also an essential resource for flora and fauna habitats, assisting in the maintenance of biodiversity within the region. People of diverse backgrounds or locations place unique values on their gardens and what they plant, from exotic or imported specimens, to carefully chosen native, edible plants, or even ones of sentimental worth.