I used a repeating leaf pattern in this painting in the traditions of Aboriginal cultural art where generations of artists use the designs of their ancestors.

In repeating these patterns we reaffirm these traditions, honouring our ancestors, becoming conduits for our shared identity and expressing our identity through art.

But it’s changed and I represented this change by putting red throughout the pattern on the leaves, the rust.

The leaves are also like skeletons, hollow representations of what once was.

On a background of surrounding green they subtly stand out.

Change is constant, in fact the one consistent rule that can be applied to science as well as the natural world but these changes are slow and consistent allowing for adaptation.

When change occurs rapidly it has devastating consequences.