In an intricate and delicate watercolour, artist and avid conservationist Vera Scarth Johnson captured the beauty of the Bundaberg Region’s wildflowers in her 1983 artwork ‘Pittosporum Ferruginemum and Orange Lacewing’.
Part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s permanent art collection, ‘Pittosporum Ferruginemum and Orange Lacewing’ is one of over 400 artworks cared for by Bundaberg Regional Galleries on behalf of Council and the community.
Vera Scarth Johnson, born in 1912, was an artist, collector and conservationist who lived in the Bundaberg Region from 1940 to 1972.
During her time in the region, Vera farmed sugar cane and was only the second woman to obtain a sugar assignment.
In addition to her farming career, Vera maintained an interest in botany, painting and sketching Australian flowers, and actively rescuing species that were in danger of being lost to development.
Her greatest wish was to give future generations the opportunity to experience the beauty and complexity of Australian wildflowers.
To this end, Vera donated a parcel of land to the community, which is now known as the Vera Scarth-Johnson Wildflower Reserve, nestled between the Elliott River and Coonarr.
An exhibition featuring Vera’s artworks was held at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery in 2020, and the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery in Cooktown is dedicated to her works.
‘Pittosporum Ferruginemum and Orange Lacewing’ was acquired for the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery Collection from the collection of Jack Randall in 2021.
Find out more about the Bundaberg Regional Council Collection on the Arts Bundaberg website.
