Amidst startling bursts of floral colour, and in
spite of the white heat, dozens of finches, some dull, brown bird, parakeets
and squawking myna birds flit about with vigour. It’s midday and they are so
alive.
The scene is gaudy. Hot pink, aquamarine and scarlet.
In a surprise swoop, the dullest birds opens its wings and skims the blue
water, revealing a myriad of turquoise and green tones on its underside.
Somewhere, the laughing dove mocks my wonder.
Ordered patterns elsewhere counteract the assault –
the base layer for some intricate drawing. Spirals, patterns, dimensions within
dimensions - impossible constructions.
I disturb a lizard. Its camouflage is too good to be
real, and I expect it to dive back into a two-dimensional plane.
There’s a dark, shady section of this scene where
the other-worldly creatures lurk. I daren’t peer behind the thick green leaves.
I’m not one to take fright but it’s the just that these skulking things have a
habit of shifting and shaping just to startle you.
Its time to step quietly inside and leave the
grotesque to rule.
Inspired by the work of M.C. Escher.
