White Moth
- not forgotten series // bloom two -
in my words
( to see the making of scroll to the bottom of the page )
White Moth spreads across seven embroidered works, following the moth as it returns the viewer from darkness to light, pollinating the flowers along the way symbolising guidance, growth, renewal and encouragement for future blooms.
Created straight after the release of the forget-me-not series in November 2024, White Moth only came into fruition a few months ago in June of 2025 - the idea of the white moth came to me in the shower, I needed a figure that would help symbolise guidance, almost like a higher being to represent that internal voice of encouragement needed when pursuing anything new in life.
I hope people view White Moth and find encouragement to pursue their own ambitions in life.
" whilst birds slept " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" the flower blossomed " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" Against the wind " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" into the unknown " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" Where passion prevails " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" Surrounded in beauty " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
" Where you belong " - White Moth - not forgotten series // bloom two. 2025. Ink, acrylic paint and embroidery on cotton. 446 x 662 mm. Edition 1/1 - SOLD
- not forgotten // bloom two -
The Not Forgotten series is built around a visual metaphor for memory, using the symbolism of forget-me-not flowers to explore themes of lessons learned, the lives we’ve lived and how the past still quietly shapes us.
During the making of Bloom one i kept myself to a very strict range of colour and form I could use within the work, in bloom two the concept has evolved, I allowed myself to branch out a bit both with experimenting with colour combinations and also stylistically the forget me not flowers themselves are have become more formed.
The colour combinations start referencing different flowers and their meanings too which also helped in naming the works.
”patience, little oak” - for me is a reference to a memory i have as a child at kindergarten when I was handed a twig off an oak tree by my father. the brown bark coloured background with the young saplings, almost a metaphor for wisdom.
”Fields of lavender” is a reference to the Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Tasmania where I visited as a child. the colour combination is as powerful to me as they smell as i’m also reminded of rich Australian soil.
I could go on but the not forgotten series isn’t so much for me, it’s an open series intended to hopefully trigger a memory or meaning for you, the viewer.
"Patience, little oak" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"twelve roses" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"bird of paradise" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"after the storm" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"Lumiere" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"Eastern Bluestar" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"water lillies" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
"fields of lavender" - not forgotten series // bloom two - 2025. Acrylic paint, ink and embroidery on cotton. 295 x 372 mm Edition 1/1 - SOLD
Making of White Moth
Created between November 2024 - August 2025
"whilst birds slept" - 7 or 8 different flavours of blue used
"the flower blossomed" keeping with the similar theme of dark and blue. I was really enjoying Indian Ink around this time.
original moth placement for "the flower blossomed" using paper
"Against the wind" - if i remember correctly i framed it incorrectly and just kept going with it - as you should
I give all my works temporary names to reference while i work on them, could've/should've blurred it but if you're looking what to name your next child
colour selection for " Into the unknown "
"into the unknown"
"Where passion prevails" - probably didnt translate as well as i was hoping when the embroidery's on top but the blue paint has almost been overcome by red
i embroidered more blue into the work after this
"Surrounded in beauty" - original moth placement was to the side but it felt too standard so i put it right in the middle instead for the rush. they say not to put anything in the center, its now the most interesting part of the picture, for me anyway.
"where you belong " - the moth has returned to the light. I dont know why i but keep wanting to make works with pink and yellow in them? i dunno, this ones scratched the itch for now
Making of - not forgotten // bloom two -
This album in particular i find is a really nice accompaniment to the series, i used it a lot to help promote it - it only came out a couple of months or so ago but when i look back at this series one day this album captures it’s essence perfectly.
see below the playlist from the opening night
White Moth was exhibited at Maggies cafe, Dunedin. August 22nd to September 5th 2025.
Thank you to everyone who came out and to Maggies for having me.
Dedicated to the guidance given, and in loving memory of my godfather, Chris Dodds.