Microcosm, 2023

‘Microcosm’, an ink and watercolour painting on rice paper, is inspired by the biodiversity of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on earth where some 1625 species of fish swim among more than 450 species of hard coral.

Its 2,500 individual reefs and 900 islands extend from the northern tip of Queensland down to south of Gladstone. I was born in North Queensland and would often snorkel in the reef, exploring the vast world of the sea in awe of its wonder. The physical work (measuring 130cm x 65cm) is painted on rice paper using traditional Chinese painting practices which I learnt as a research scholar under the instruction of Professor Dong Ya at Tianjin University, China.

This work translates the vast natural territory of the reef most familiar to me with traditional Chinese aesthetics and methodology. I was delighted to find the traditional technique fuse so beautifully with this Australian subject matter. The work is painted from multiple perspectives, therefore can be viewed and displayed in either landscape or portrait format. The physical work was exhibited in Brisbane in my 2018 solo exhibition as the hero piece and was acquired by paper and Asian painting conservator Jennifer Loubser.

This artwork was also translated into textiles by Japanese-Australian fashion designer Masayo Yasuki for her fashion label DOGSTAR. Creating this NFT ensures that, despite the delicate nature of rice paper and its ephemeral character, this painting will endure beyond its physical existence as pristine as the day it was completed.