Communing attends to the silent, profound dialogues humans can share with the plant world.
Through a meditative drawing practice, Rose Watts explores the possibilities of interspecies communication. Drawing on data, sketches and recordings gathered at her Tanks Arts Centre residency (2025-26), Rose focused on the large fig tree (Ficus benjamina) in front of Tank 4. This tree, probably 60 to 65 years old, has grown amongst the man-made boundary of the Tanks. Returning to the same tree over many months the work unfolds through repetition, presence and the gradual accumulation of attention.
Time and attention become ways of approaching the boundaries between human and non-human experience. Through slow, observational drawing on site Rose’s practice becomes a form of relational practice, transforming perception into care, curiosity and responsibility as two species commune.
The installation is an invitation into a space of stillness and listening. Here, the plant world is not passive scenery but an intelligent, communicative presence, our reciprocal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, a reminder that human and plant lives are inextricably connected.
Image: A Conversation Between Forms (detail), mixed media on canvas by Rose Watts. Photograph by Lucy McIvor, 2026
Rose Watts is an interdisciplinary artist based in Atherton, Far North Queensland, whose work is generated from a love of drawing. Her current work is focused on interspecies communication and connection with the natural world, specifically trees.
With interests in meditation and spirituality Rose studied shamanism at Michael Harner’s school, The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, in 2002, a journey that led her to California, Peru and Nepal and deeply informs the spiritual dimension of her artistic practice.
Rose’s recent research explores posthuman thought and spiritual art practice, inspired by reading books such as “The Other Side” by Jennifer Higgie and “Posthuman Feminism” by Rosi Braidotti.
Rose began her career as a registered nurse in Australia, moving to the USA in 1988. In her 30s she rekindled a childhood passion for art and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in drawing from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, in 2002. She was then accepted into The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts studio space, NYC, where she created and exhibited work for four years.
Returning to Australia in 2006, Rose primarily worked in nursing while sometimes teaching drawing, until the last four years where she has focused primarily on art practice and furthering her professional development by receiving RADF grants for mentorship and audio-visual training.