Maddison Kitching: Memento

Memento is a new exhibition of work by Naarm (Melbourne) based artist Maddison Kitching.

During a period living in Mexico City, Kitching became interested in ‘Australian’ trees that live beyond Australia – particularly Eucalyptus globulus, a species endemic to southern Australia that thrives in Mexico City, where it is considered one of the country’s most destructive invasive species. In Australia, the same tree is a deeply rooted cultural symbol.\

The contradiction embedded in this single species – carrying opposite meanings depending on where it takes root – became the starting point for Memento, and its mirror in Australia’s own relationship to the prickly pear cactus.