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Botanical artist explores fascination of native mangroves

08 October 2018

Exhibition by Deirdre Bean opens at Tweed Regional Gallery

An exhibition by Newcastle-based natural history and botanical artist Deirdre Bean entitled Australia’s mangroves: living on the edge will open at Tweed Regional Gallery on Friday 12 October.

The artist developed a fascination for mangroves as a child when she swam amongst them in the Myall River, NSW. On learning more of their ecological importance and vulnerability, she undertook a self-funded project to document these unique plants and was the focus of her recent PhD project.

Almost half of the world’s mangrove species are found in Australia. Bean studied 34 of Australia’s 47 species over a seven-year period. Each species was sourced from field trips and methodically painted in her studio.

Bean recounts, “I encountered many hazards: torrential rain, mosquitoes, ants, heat, mud, dehydration and, of course, crocodiles. My equipment included my camera, water, insect repellant, collecting bag, and phone - with variable coverage. Once my specimens were secured, many hours were spent in the studio developing a botanically accurate watercolour painting, the results of which are featured in this exhibition.”

“These meticulously accurate depictions of native mangroves executed in watercolour and graphite on paper are an important body of work, that I believe would be of equal interest to botanists, plant enthusiasts and appreciators of fine art,” Tweed Regional Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said.

All are welcome to attend the official opening celebrations on Friday 12 October at 6.00pm DST, with guest speaker Stella Downer of Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney. The exhibition opens in conjunction with Laith McGregor: Borrowed Time and Graeme Drendel: Confessions.

On Sunday 11 November at 2.00pm DST, an In Conversation will be held between artist Deirdre Bean and Dr Norman Duke (MSc, PhD), Senior Research Scientist at James Cook University. Join them for this free event where they will discuss this fragile species.