The body of work for “Transitions” was commenced in March 2019. March was a gentler month following a long, difficult, dry summer. Autumn here in the river country is often dry, but there is always a sense of anticipation, as the transition to shorter days with longer shadows instills a sense of the break in the weather that may be to come.

Studies of Thule Lagoon and Pollack Swamp, both significant riverine habitats connected to the Koondrook Perricoota Forest, were undertaken. I was honoured to have artists Pam U’Ren French and Elisabeth Cummings accompany me on my field trips. Introducing your landscape to other artists always leads to heightened personal perspectives and new ways of seeing. Environmental consultant, Dan Hutton, guided us through his important archaeological and ecological fieldwork in these remnant forests, the traditional home of the Barapa Barapa people.

Beautiful rain then fell here during May, providing respite from what for us, was one of the driest years on record. The later works for Transitions reflect the emotion of this time. Transparent, fluid layers aim to capture the sense of liquidity and the water puddled on the parched earth. The ancient Redgums ran with sap and tannins creating a myriad of pinks, tans and gold. The earth was soft and quiet, waiting for green to emerge. The night sky had a renewed clarity as it was washed clean of dust.

Living on this ancient floodplain and grappling with ecological and political change, has instilled an additional sense of transition into our daily being … an uncertain one. Philosopher Thomas Berry termed our time the “ecozoic age” … a time of human influence over environment that is unprecedented. As inhabitants of the most arid continent on earth, a collective, informed and intelligent approach to water and land management is imperative. We need to truly understand and acknowledge this landscape’s ancient past and the reality of the present so we can transition to a positive future.

These works are a very personal homage to our beautiful, unique Riverine habitats and the people who care for them. In these confronting times I take so much heart from the dedicated folk who put “the noise” aside and simply persist with good works for positive ecological and cultural outcomes.

Please enjoy.

Wendy McDonald, 2019