Artist statement

‘My inspiration for this artwork came from reading reports and letters by Ferdinand von Mueller, botanist and director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (1857-1873). Mueller rode on horseback on three extended explorations of Victoria, collecting specimens and writing observations about the indigenous plants of Victoria.

This artwork is a collage of photographs and lumen prints simulating a grassy woodland. It includes groups of various plant communities including native grasses, trees and Australian shrubs found prior to settlement and observed on my daily walks.’

About the artist

Dianna Wells is a photographic artist engaging with ideas about landscape, botany and experimental photographic processes. Growing native plants and working with botanic specimens are central to her practice, her work asks questions about the loss of biodiversity, vulnerability and the potential for healing and regeneration.

Inside the National Herbarium of Victoria

Dianna Wells is one of four artists that was offered access to the State Botanical Collection of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria as part of a collaboration with the Metro Tunnel Creative Program. Comprising a library collection of botanical literature and art, along with approximately 1.5 million dried plant, algae and fungi specimens, the collection is a treasured resource for botanists, historians, artists and scientists.