Collaborating artists Annelies Jahn and Jane Burton Taylor work directly with endemic plants on Gadigal Land, researching and making artworks that heighten their own, and by invitation others, sensitivity to the intrinsic nature of the country on which we live.

In Habitat, the pair collaborate with the critically endangered Banksia Scrub Plant Community, that once covered the La Perouse headland, extending north unbroken as far as Manly, and which still survives in remnants supporting Indigenous fauna, including the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

They work directly with the plants; growing some rare grasses from seed, distilling to record and share the intense scent of flowering native plants; recording a contemporary version of a herbarium in scans of seeds, flowers and leaves in intimate detail; creating a living artwork; and other methods of isolating characteristics to facilitate and intensify a physical experience of the original Habitat.

Their research extends to the immediate waterways off shore from La Perouse and the endangered sea grass beds of the posidonia australis that ring the peninsular and run north along the coast. This lesser seen sea ‘flora’ provides oxygen to the ocean and sequesters large amounts of carbon.

The exhibition will be opened by La Perouse elder Aunty Maxine Ryan, who is the artists’ Indigenous consultant for Habitat. It runs August-September and includes workshops, an artist’s talk and immersive events, as well as a closing event at which the living artwork will be given away to visitors, to replant and so further support habitat for local fauna.

The artists would like to acknowledge the support of Aunty Maxine Ryan, also the Gamay Rangers and local Indigenous nursery, IndigiGrow for guidance and assistance.