Sturt Desert Peas

THE emblematic Desert Pea is celebrated in this work with its resonances that echo across art movements worldwide.

Sturt's Desert Pea grows only in arid desert and is especially prolific in sandy soils, mulga woodland and along creek lines. It was adopted as the floral emblem of South Australia in November 1962 and has had 17 other recorded names for its genus (Swainsona formosa) since occupation.

It has adapted to life as a desert plant with its hard-coated seeds that can germinate after many years and, in turn, ensures germination in rainfall but inhibits growth in more temperate environments.

It is no surprise then that this tenacious and beautiful desert plant should be a subject for Josephine, who has painted the flower in several different views and styles. This painting is pure celebration of the plant that is Australia's poppy.

It was on Sturt's journey to Broken Hill across the western plains of New South Wales in 1844 where his expedition, still in search of the inland sea, saw and named the flower.