Banana and batik

This painting is a still life that encapsulates the uniqueness and beauty of tropical architecture, design and craftmanship from Northern Australia, and our very close neighbours in South East Asia.

I live in a very early Troppo home that has a strong architectural focus on airflow and shade for tropical living, with rattan and large wooden posts as some walls, bringing all the incredible sensory features of tropical living in - the sweet dense tropical air, the smokey breezes of dry season, the sounds of wildlife living in the garden, and intense tropical storms. The architectural features of tropical living are equally celebrateed in this painting as are the objects themselves, showing it's strong importance in creating ambience and respite in sharp contrast to the brightness and intensity of the outdoors.

I have always been a collector of the weird and wonderful, and I am interested in how design and craftsmanship is represented in the tropics. I bought a few of these amazing hand carved wooden banana plant statues that were made in South East Asia, from a local collector to put around the house that I adore. I have since learnt these were fairly common in homes of Northern Australia over the last 50 years, and I think perhaps show a reverence for unique tropical design, and our deep affinity and love for South East Asia as our neighbours also.

Another key feature in Territory homes is the Batik. I have many batiks I have bought in Darwin, and in my travels to Indonesia. In my family we all have a personal favourite, and their uses range from throws and bedspreads to tablecloths, and art works, and my daughter likes to tie them into beautiful dresses. They are another icon that holds great sentiment to Territorians as part of their way of living and close relationship with South East Asia.

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Acrylic on canvas

180cm x 180cm