Who gets to decide if a plant is “native” or a “weed”? The term 'weed' is not a botanical classification; weeds are just plants.

The ways in which we interact with and seek to control the environment around us are dictated by cultural, emotional and economical values. These judgements are also influenced by where are: in time and place.

My artwork draws on the idea of ‘Beautiful Weeds’. To me, weeds are poetic: they are often shared between countries, they make the most of opportunities and are tenacious survivors. By creating portraits of these noxious, troublesome and unwelcome plants, I hope to challenge our perceptions of what belongs and what has value and encourage us to reconsider how we interact with our world and with each other.
 

Speaker: 

Melinda Takémura
Melinda studied Visual Art and Asian Studies at the ANU and completed a Master of Fine Arts in Kyoto, Japan. Her artwork in dyed textiles, resist dyeing and print techniques considers the complexity of the Australian natural environment including invasive weeds and endangered species. Melinda has exhibited her work around Australia, in the United States and Japan. She has been a recipeint of artsACT funding, a 2022 Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) Award and has participated in Artist in Residence programs in the ACT and in Nagano, Japan. You can see more about her work here: so-meru.com