A Longing Distant Connection

As a child, a sole Quandong tree existed near to our house in South Western NSW. Every season we’d ride our pushies down to check for fruit and share thoughts on its history.

Being unable to travel to visit family in recent times has been difficult for many. Missing out on annual family traditions shared a lot from my childhood through obscured thoughts and unfocused memories.

For some reason, riding to the Quandong tree seemed to be the clearest.

This restriction on connection with family was upsetting but it would be nothing compared to what was endured by the people of Melbourne and Victoria during lock-down.

Being welcomed to share the native Quandong, which can be uncommon in Victoria, serves as a gesture of reconnection between two states but also myself and the people of Frankston. It is a reminder of more enjoyable times of interstate travel, connection with distant family or communities with hope that heart felt adventure can be reintroduced to our lives again soon.

Out of the many people I conversed with while painting this wall, only two people had heard of a Quandong. To paint something that was not immediately recognisable, on trend or frequently existent in the street art world was a challenging task but truly rewarding. I'll be taking on this approach as often as possible.

Being able to travel interstate, engage with the people of Frankston and paint something so personal to me was incredible.