I think of Ellen every time the wattle blooms. She was 20 and on her way home from Maryborough with her fiancé when she stopped to pick wattle from the side of the road. It’s the last thing she’d ever see. Her fiancé shot her in the back of the head and then shot himself. He was deep in gambling debt and had planned to take his own life, and had written a suicide letter to Ellen. I can only guess as to why he changed his mind and killed her too. Not wanting her to have a life without him? What a disgusting human. Ellen is a 19th century victim of domestic violence, but she’s so much more. A young girl in a new land with her whole life ahead and a love of yellow flowers. I want people to remember her name.

This piece was a finalist in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2023

Photographed on Dja Dja Wurrung landFINE ART PHOTOGRAPH, 310gsm COTTON RAG‘

LIMITED EDITION Printed on Canson Platine fine art cotton rag (coated), 310gsm. Prices are for unframed artwork

140x105cm, Edition of 6 +1AP

120x96cm, Edition of 6 +1AP

90x70cm, Edition of 12 +1AP