Hinterland Bunyas, Curramore, 24 August 2024 – an Artist Book
I’m thrilled to share my latest artist book, Hinterland Bunyas, Curramore, 24 August 2024.
This book project holds a special place in my heart. It pays homage to the iconic bunya pine trees of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland—trees that have fascinated me with their towering presence and potential for centuries-old stories.
On the morning of 24 August 2024, I photographed several majestic bunya pines in the Curramore area, capturing the beauty of their silhouettes against the sky. Their crowns, their branches, their mark on the landscape. Curramore is one area of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and the hinterland is one of only 2 areas these beautiful trees grow native to their surroundings. The Bunya Mountains is the other area you will find these trees growing natively, approximately 2.5 hours drive west of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Hinterland Bunyas, Curramore, 24 August 2024 – the book
For me, the silhouettes of these ancient trees against the hinterland skies are beautiful and magestic. They’ve lived long lives, and I hope they continue to thrive for many more centuries to come. The dieback affecting Bunya Pines in South East Queensland is concerning, and I’ve written more about it in a previous blog post, which you can read here.
Each tree depicted in this book is from my own photo library, and I’ve noted the geographical coordinates of where I stood to take those photos. My intention is to return to these spots in 3 to 5 years, to photograph again in the hope that they have survived the dieback currently threatening their existence.
The book itself combines several printmaking techniques – blind embossing and intaglio printing with collagraph plates and etched metal plates.
The blue papers, behind the cutout bunya tree crowns, are blind-embossed. The combination of colour, crowns and embossing represents the beautiful silhouette of the bunya crowns against the hinterland skies. The bunya crowns are cutout of Fabriano Black 300gsm drawing paper, using my Circut machine. I would love to have cut them by hand, but my right hand isn’t up to the task these days.
The etchings of the trees were made with etched aluminium plates and printed over collagraph prints. Each etching represents specific trees, the geographical location of my photographing vantage point written underneath. The collagraph prints behind them are of views of the mountain ranges looking north and west of Curramore.
On each of the bunya crown cutouts and printed papers with the etchings you will see blind embossed bunya tree skeletons. I found one collection of skeleton trees when I was out and about.
As much as I hate to say it – the skeleton trees are beautiful in their own sculptural right. The cluster of skeletons below is the reference for what is embossed into the black bunya crowns and etched tree prints.
The skeleton trees are indicative or what may, but we hope won’t, happen if the dieback continues to infect trees across the hinterland.
Colophon
Papers
Hahnemuhle / unknown (blue paper)
Fabriano Roaspina 285gsm
Fabriano Black 300gsm
Printed
Blind embossing, etching prints, collagraph prints and blind embossed type (Goundy Langston 24pt)
Structure
Accordion/concertina structure with pop-out Bunya crowns
Edition Size – 2 plus one artist proof
Completed October 2024
Hinterland Bunyas, Curramore, 24 August 2024 – Artist Book Update November 2024
This book, alongside sky dancers, was purchased by the State Library of Queensland to be added to their Artists’ Books Collection.
I delivered the book yesterday, and am proud to have 3 artist books in this extraordinary collection.
The second book in the edition was acquired for a private collection, where it will serve as a story and testament to the Hinterland’s local ecology.
Artist Books are a very special art genre. These tactile, interactive forms of storytelling need to be experienced in person, and it is an honour and a privilege to have them held and available in a publicly accessible collection.
