Rare Banksia Vincentia Sculpture

This sculpture was inspired by the critically endangered Australian plant species called Banksia Vincentia. Only discovered in 2008, then described and published as a new species in 2014, this is probably the rarest Banksia in Australia. It is listed as Critically Endangered. It is endemic to NSW (only found growing here and nowhere else in the world). Banksia vincentia is found growing in low sedgeland and grassy heath in sandy soils over clay on sandstone. Originally a population of only 14 plants were discovered, but today only four individual plants survive in the wild; the others have been lost to bushfires and extended periods of inundation. Luckily some of these individuals are represented in the ex-situ holdings of this species. These deconstructed sculptures have exposed twists of wire and a transparent mesh core. She is instinctively drawn to some materials, which are historically feminine, such as beadwork and fabric, after growing up around dance schools and costumes, with a strong seamstress line of several generations on her mother’s side. Her art practice is inspired by the forms and colours of nature and she has a passion for environmental issues. Over 2022-2023 she was commissioned by Hobson’s Bay City Council to create an outdoor installation for the Dear Agnes Project, inspired by A forest for Australia (Agnes Denes). She produced a large group of botanical sculptures inspired by rare Banksia plants, which were installed with curve stitched circular forms under a tree canopy. Dr Michelle Cox completed her studies at the Sydney College of Arts, where she obtained an Honours degree in Visual Arts. She loves working with colour and pattern, including the mathematical symmetry and spirals which are found in nature. Wire of different colours is used to draw botanical creatures in 3-D space, with an exploration of form and material from a range of beads.