Plants of the Philippines
An ongoing series from 2017 to present, exploring endemic plants of the Philippines, inspired by various trips across the islands.
In 2017 while travelling through the Philippines, I visited my mother’s childhood friend Rowena R. Boquiren, a well known historian and environmental conservationist who told me about a botanist named Leonard Legaspi Co. I became fascinated with his story - many regarded him as the country's top botanist, and he dedicated his life to exploring the Philippine mountains and forests, writing books and documenting plants endemic to the Philippines. TOP: Sampaguita ((from Plants of the Philippines)
Top: Passiflora (2018) (from Plants of the Philippines)
Right: Dendrochilum cobbianum (from Plants of the Philippines)
In 2010, he was tragically killed while conducting fieldwork in a forest, after his team were mistaken for rebel fighters by the Philippine Army, leaving behind a massive contribution to the Filipino science community and many unfinished projects.
His story really moved me and I started this side project as a way to connect with my 'roots' and also in the hopes stories like his will continue on.
TOP: Banana Heart (from Plants of the Philippines)
Being in Australia, I have always felt split between two worlds, and I initially thought no one would be interested in seeing these plants and hearing these stories, that are now guiding my work. They deserve to be heard though, and I often wonder - if we don't tell and share these stories, who will ?
Art Prints
A selection of art reproduction prints are now available for the first time.