Coastal Collection engages landscape, botany and 19th century photography to explore the notion of ‘the new wild’ – where introduced plant species grow wild in dunes and coastal bushland environments within and surrounding Melbourne. 

Artist Dianna Wells, in the tradition of collection and expedition with a camera and secateurs, uses migrating plants to create a set of hand printed photographs and lumen prints in this exhibition at Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library. Referencing the cyanotype plant specimens of 19th century British artist Anna Atkins, the prints record the collection of introduced species within the photographic medium.

English science writer Fred Pearce asserts that we should no longer view all introduced species as unwelcome invaders. Natural species within the dunes on Dendy Street Beach in Bayside Melbourne co-exist with many benign invasive species, sustaining the biodiversity of a wilderness, preventing erosion and providing habitat for birds, reptiles, insects and other animals.

Open: during regular library hours.