Bird of Paradise J26

RUNNER UP

Artful Art Prize 2026, Textiles

61 x 89 cm

Linen patchwork

Slim solid timber decorative frame 30mm deep

Inspiration is everywhere—a thought, a spoken word, a visual, or a tune, often becoming a springboard for our minds to wander in the most unique of ways.

This composition was the product of one such meandering. I was raised in New Delhi—a city witness to harsh extremes in weather and low humidity. It was unnatural to see Bird of Paradise flowers unless they were chosen to highlight the extravagance of an exclusive event.

In Sydney, I saw these growing with abandon along the street. An entire bush that honestly seemed like it required restraint!

A rather delightful display.

Bird of Paradise J26 is a version of that memory, an effervescence of colour just waiting to surge past the frame. An abstract interpretation that captures the feeling of abundance, tethered to the real world variant by a memory. And what is a memory if not a reflection of reality?