Artist Statement 2020
The Fine Line
Scribbly Gums like this are a common sight in Sydney’s bushland fringe. Its charred and hollowed heart is a legacy of bushfires past, revealing damage so severe it’s a wonder it survived. Yet it thrives, the result of millennia of evolution, able to both withstand the destructive force of fire and embrace its regenerative potential. It embodies the fine line between destruction and survival, fragility and resilience.
After closely observing the textures of its smooth and crumbly bark, the whorls and crevices of its blackened core, I built up the drawing slowly, with layers of charcoal. This sustained focus allowed time for contemplation and meditation, and the process of drawing the tree became an act of veneration.
Instagram: @jangar6431
Website: jangarben.com
