Plants and Kris

Plants and Kris 

Each day I observe, interact and learn from plants and if I happen to think more deeply about my dependence on them and the complexity of intertwining, I breathe and gain sustenance from them.  I make sure I engage creatively with them each day. 

 I come from a family of obsessive gardeners, and their creativity and connection to plants, and people through plants, has inspired and propelled me. Some of my earliest memories of connection with family is through plants. Cuttings were a common parting gift amongst family, a small portion of an admired plant, cut in a special way as to be grown again, and many plants have different ways of being replicated. The gifting and exchange of plants creates gardens and gives connection to both the natural world, and to favourite people. I am yet to make a work based on cuttings, its quietly waiting on the list. 

 Form, colour, texture, tenacity; perpetual growth; their function within an ecosystem; who they chose to grow next to and whether they thrive or struggle; so many ways to intrigue. I do believe they are clever and there is so much unknown.

 I often read the use of plants as expressions of our values and ideals. In Hobart, surprisingly, we still use mostly exotic plantings in our street plantings, for me this speaks about our relationship to the indigenous plants here and in turn our relationship with indigenous culture.

I have a deep love of Tasmanian plants, there is something profound in knowing they have been here and evolved with this place over such long periods of time…their colours, forms, delicacy and resilience.  I see them as my closest friends in the plant world and after being away it is always a moving experience to re-acquaint with them. I like talking to plants, usually they don’t talk back, sometimes they do!

 My love for the plants of Tasmania drew me to a mentor and friend, Kris, she has spent most of her life creatively embedded in the landscape, in particular growing and understanding Tasmanian plants. She has expanded my understanding of the restorative powers of plants and focused my eyes on healing gardens. For Kris spirituality and plants are intertwined. I value our text messages that are a string of pictures and plants. A visual communication. 

Kris has also made me more aware of the thrill and pleasure of working with kids and plants… what a combo! We collaborated on the ‘Seed Garden’ and this opened a world to me, watching a child hesitate then articulate his confidence at drawing the complex seed of Kangaroo Grass! 

 I feel most alive when working creatively with plants and people.

Bec Stevens

March 2020