My latest exhibition, Cocoon, continues my decade-long exploration of inner-city gardens. This series focuses on gardens located close to Melbourne’s CBD which coexist with the noise and pace of urban life. Comprising twelve miniature paintings alongside a single expansive artwork over two meters wide, Cocoon contemplates the psychological and physical necessity of nature in densely built environments.
In the midst of chaotic, fast paced cities filled with noise, traffic and constant digital distractions, inner-city gardens serve as an antidote to such frenetic conditions. They can create a moment of respite from our increasing dependency on screens and the constant notifications pulling us in every direction. When we are perpetually plugged in, it’s easy to become numb to the natural world. Yet these small pockets of nature are some of the most sensory-stimulating and information-rich environments that we can ever encounter. They provide a sense of escapism without ever truly leaving the city.
My practice continues to draw on the ancient tradition of miniature painting, a form that has long emphasised intimacy, detail and reflection. Working at a small scale requires the viewer to slow down, to approach and observe closely- encouraging a kind of engagement that parallels the restorative qualities of gardens themselves.
The addition of a large-scale painting in this exhibition presents a deliberate counterpoint to the miniatures. It toys with ideas of scale and perception and forces the viewer to physically step back and respond in an alternate way. This shift in size intends to confront, overwhelm, and amplify whilst creating an immersive experience.
Whether large or small, these paintings aim to hold space for contemplation, and to underscore the deep human need for connection to the natural world- particularly in times of collective anxiety, isolation or overstimulation.
I am interested in the relationship between the viewer and the artwork: how proximity, scale and detail affect our emotional and psychological engagement. Just as gardens offer refuge and reflection, I hope these paintings invite a moment to pause.
Natasha Bieniek – 2025