Paula Broom
House Tree

wood, stick, gum leaves, thread, varnish
52.5 x 36 x 16.5cm

In urban areas like those along the Cooks River, natural ecosystems provide cultural and recreational space and amenity, contribute to the health of the river, clean air and water, stabilise banks, and importantly, support biodiversity. As climate change progresses, and our need to build housing and infrastructure increases, we must conserve and plant more native vegetation, trees and shrubs for other species for breeding, food and shelter. House Tree inverts the notion of a tree house. A wood offcut from building work stands in as a house and the tree, with its fragile, hand-embroidered leaves from gum trees like those along the Cooks River, acts as a motif for ecosystems, imaginary habitat for native creatures. This light-hearted but delicate artwork explores the serious matter of ecosystem destruction and conservation in the Anthropocene, and the coexistence of humans with what eco philosopher David Abrams calls “the more than human world”.