INSIGHT
Alison Worsnop
Natural History
Meet a talented
Northern Territorian
who admires the
vibrant colours of the
western desert artists
... particularly some
of the women artists
who must paint under
particularly harsh
social and physical
conditions.
By Alison Worsnop
have always had a special
interest in natural history
- plants, animals and their
landscapes – both artistically and
scientifically. I grew up in Oxford
where I took an Honours degree
in Natural Science (Zoology). It
was not very useful in terms of
earning a living, but the knowledge
has been a continuing source of
fascination and insight into the
non-human world and a source of
inspiration for my painting.
I later spent some years in
the Solomon Islands. At that
time it really was paradise:
Exquisitely beautiful with
unspoiled rainforested mountains;
magnificent coral reefs; fascinating