Fungi frames to feature in Shire

VISUAL artist Rosalind Lawson is displaying more than 100 works showcasing the natural flora and fungi of her surroundings as part of her Landscape over Time and Place exhibition.

With 120 oil paintings spread across four panel canvases, the subject of each work was found within a one-kilometre radius of Lawson’s Napoleons property.

She said the project for her has long been an environmental one.

“This whole project of botanical art has been going on for about 10 years,” she said.

“It’s an environmental project, to make people aware of what’s really there and to sort of ask people to go and observe.

“With the fungi, there were a couple species I couldn’t work out so I’ve had people come and write me notes and local mycologists helping out.

“We’re in a time where people are really interested in fungi and the state of our forests and mycelium. Such amazing things are being done in that field.”

Lawson previously launched the collection at the Mercure Ballarat earlier this year, which featured more than 200 works across 10 panel canvases.

Having sold nearly 30 pieces during that show, she’s spent the past four months reproducing the purchased works with the permission of the owners to use in the local show.

Lawson said despite the smaller number of paintings on display, there are some new additions to the Shire-based exhibition.

“With the wildflower paintings, a couple have been shown locally but they haven’t been shown together,” she said.

“Even when I was reproducing the fungi paintings I’ve sold, I found three new species to work with, so it all just goes on.”

Landscape over Time and Place is set to serve as a preview for the municipality’s Golden Spaces 12-month pilot project to debut next year.

Lawson’s exhibition is on show at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre until Wednesday 6 December after which it will be displayed at Smythesdale’s The Well from Tuesday 23 January until Monday 29 April.