Artist Sharon Field, based in Burra NSW is recognised nationally for her detailed and precise dry point botanical watercolours. Recently, the artist has drawn further attraction to her work owing to a project she started 18 months ago.
Titled 3000 days…and counting Field’s project aims to highlight losses in the natural environment expected by 2030 due to global warming based on the findings of an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report from 2021.
Challenging herself to make a painting a day on a continuous scroll of watercolour paper Field is already 500+ images into the project. The end will be in 2030 after 3000 days have been achieved. The finished scrolls (there will be several 7-8m long for practical reasons) will tell the story of the changing natural environment.
So far, the completed first scroll has been shown in New York (USA), Vienna (Austria), Viscri (Romania), Grenfell (NSW), Sydney (Australia), and Sharon has been invited to talk about the scroll to multiple audiences in the USA and France via zoom.
The scroll has inspired a musical composition and two beautiful poems. As a form of journal, the scroll provides a basis for rich discussions about environmental issues in a non-threatening way.
‘It is designed to be beautiful so that it draws people in, rather than repels them. People are always interested in talking about the issues and what more they can do’ – says artist Sharon Field
From 29 July the initial scroll will be on display to local audiences for the first time. It will be shown at Suki & Hugh Gallery in Bungendore alongside Field’s solo exhibition On Trees. Field will also be at the gallery during their opening times and is keen to engage with visitors on the project which she is extremely passionate about.