Rose Gordon

Chains of Invasion 2024

Dried periwinkle plants (Catharanthus roseus), and jute string/rope
300 x 600 x 2 cm

About the Work

The periwinkle plants (Catharanthus roseus) in this work have been pulled from a conservation block on Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), which was cleared in the 1940s by CSIRO for tick research on cattle grazing on the land. The land is now being rehabilitated by a volunteer nature care group on the island. Once pulled, these weeds are left to dry and decompose into the soil and to renourish the land, allowing local native plants to thrive. By weaving these dried plants into chains, Rose Gordon reminds us of the treatment of our First Nations people in Australia’s history and of the damage we have done to this Country by introducing plants and animals. These chains are suspended on jute rope under trees. With seeds removed, if left, eventually they will disappear without trace.

About the Artist

Rose Gordon is a retired clinical nurse now looking after the land and environment. She is an active member of Zero Waste and Magnetic Island Nature Care Association on Yenbenun (Magnetic Island). She has participated in group weaving projects with the Ghost Net Collective. This will be her second public exhibition after exhibiting pieces in an ephemeral exhibition on Claude’s Block at Bolger Bay on Magnetic Island for Magnetic Island Nature Care Association.