The summer of 2019-2020 for people in NSW was one of thick smoke blanketing Greater Sydney and bushfires raging throughout the state. It was a sombre summer for us, and one that has forever affected so many Australians. It was a summer where we collectively prayed for rain, and every night we went to bed in the hope for a better morning. The summer passed, the rains eventually came and the fires burned out, but at a cost. Lives were lost, homes destroyed and our native flora and fauna were major environmental casualties.

On Sunday 23rd February a State Memorial service was held to honour the 25 victims from the NSW fires. Words cannot describe how humbled I was to have my Flowering Gum artwork chosen as the cover art for the order of service.

We will not forget. We must take care of each other and our environment, and take every possible precaution to avoid this catastrophe from happening again.

Love,
Negin x