autumn fig 1, watercolour & pen on Fabriano 200gm acid free 100% cotton paper, October 2020, 45x55cm, £350
Ancient, mythological fig, I am surrounded by many of these Neolithic, enigmatic trees, one of the first plants to be cultivated by mankind they exist in a complex co-evolution, symbiotic relationship with the fig wasp, neither can exist without the other, the female wasp enters to lay eggs losing her wings and antenna to never leave. The incredible part is that within the bulbous flesh form lies the flower, it never sees the light of day, this syconium blooms inside itself. What remains is a sweet, gooey honey fruit, soft malleable branches and grand lobed waving, curling leaves.