Julie Hickson is a visual artist working primarily in the painting. Her ongoing interest in endemic Australian plants has evolved into more abstracted forms over the last decade. Through Hickson’s research of botanic forms she’s become intrigued by their morphology. The cycle from seed to plant, bud, flower and pod reveals a wealth of visual information about the plant and the land from which it comes. This led her to The Australian PlantBank where in 2019 Julie was able to study these forms on another level. Studying seed pods and plant material using x-ray and microscopy gave another perspective, while increasing her awareness that biodiversity on this continent is both unique and threatened. Hickson’s artwork explores botanic form through pattern and line to reveal the hidden landscapes within. There is a sense that in doing so Julie is coaxing the plant to give up its secrets.