Beyond the Mangroves, Candlagan Creek NSW

Mangroves act as the green lungs of the coastal world.

61cm x 152cm (24“ x 60”)
Acrylic, Gold Leaf and paper on Stretched Canvas
Naomi Crowther 2023

Artist’s statement:

This little backwater is hauntingly calm. You can walk all the way along the creek bank and not see a single soul, but you are not alone. Hundreds of elevated eyes strain from the mudflats under the mangroves to see who, or rather what, is approaching. They scuttle into hidey-holes as a lone heron maneuvers with slow, balletic grace through sun dappled, briny shallows.

Small schools of toad fish and juvenile taylor zigzag between mossy granite rocks just beyond the shoreline. Looking up, a flash of blue-grey feathers flit then disappear behind a sinuous spotted gum, sending the glassy eyed grey skinks scattering into the crackling leafy layer below.

I could be anywhere, miles from civilization. As i continue my wandering, houses peep out from behind the mangroves on the opposite shore, the Mossy Point side of the creek. Windows wink with the sunlight. A dog sees me from afar, jumps up and paces the fence line in anticipation of a sniff hello. The holiday houses are all locked up, waiting for their next airing. Is that a towel on the balcony? Maybe someone does live there, or maybe it's leftover from the last visit, stiff and crusty with the salt air. The sparkling water catches my eye and brings me back to the creek. The tide is heading out, so it's time for me to head home, with my photos and inspiration, to the studio.