Story of the Piece: The Ancient One

Some creatures have been here so much longer than we have. The turtle is one of them.

I have had an affinity with turtles my whole life. Pet turtles as a child. Snorkelling the freshwater systems of southeast Queensland and coming across native turtles moving through the clear water - unhurried, ancient, completely at home. Turtles on reefs around the world, gliding past with that particular grace that makes everything else seem urgent by comparison. Freshwater and saltwater both — turtles have been part of my world in every landscape I have ever loved.

The Ancient One is a freshwater turtle in a FNQ billabong -driftwood crossing the water above, lily pads drifting on the surface, river pebbles and stone grounding the scene below. The turtle itself is handmade ceramic, painted with chameleon paint that shifts from deep green to blue as the light changes - the way the ocean floor shifts, the way the water over a reef changes colour as you go deeper. That paint was a deliberate choice. Turtles belong to the changing light. They always have.

Some turtles live for over a hundred years. This one has seen a few things - and has the markings to prove it.

Part of the permanent FNQ Resin Worlds series — a living archive of this landscape and its creatures, frozen in resin, one of a kind.

Materials: Handmade ceramic turtle, locally sourced driftwood and river pebbles, waterlily accents, painted with chameleon paint where the colour shifts from deep green to blue.

Dimensions: 16cm x 16cm x 5cm (h)

Price: $500