About the Artist N’Dene Riley is an emerging artist best known for her luminant imagery of the ocean and sea life. With ancestry from the Aboriginal people of Tasmania, she now resides on the Mornington Peninsula. Her relationship with the land and the water informs her work, seeking tribute to the strength and beauty of the ocean along with its healing powers. She draws on her connection to her ancestors and the stories passed down about how to respect and care for the ocean. Through the use of circles and symbols, she portrays a connectedness between all living things. Working mainly with acrylic on canvas, N’Dene imparts a unique message of hope and positivity with every painting. N'Dene has created a new series of works based around the Banksia's along the foreshore. The Banksia’s remind her of people talking to each other. Each Banksia is complete with symbols if you look closely. About the Artwork This artwork was started with intent for another in commission but they ran out of money! Gratefully, I continued with it, changed it to the moments I felt and really loved the process of discovering those memories of the gardens visited as a child. Each Aunty and Uncle seemed to 'throw together' a beautiful garden of food, flavour and eye-catching beauty. It started an insightful reflection that created more love for our Natural environment. The more I painted and remembered the more I found myself going into new gardens. It was the confidence it gave to paint my banksias, kangaroo paws and wattle. What a Wonderful experience.