
Table Cape in Spring
Table Cape, aptly named by British navigator Matthew Flinders as he and George Bass sailed around Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1798, is composed of fertile basalt soils. The rich volcanic soil affords the opportunity for areas on the top of Table Cape to be heavily cultivated. Table Cape is well-known for its annual flowering of tulips during Spring. The intent of the painting is to showcase the fertility and richness of the grounds of Table Cape in Spring using a semi-abstract landscape style with symbolic elements. The rows of bright coloured tulips and surrounding colourful flora and fauna are simplified using forms, shapes, lines, together with markings to bring out the richness of the landscape in Spring. The bright sky, high clouds and glistening waters of Bass Strait suggest a fair day in Spring on the Cape.