am a playful illustrator, endeavouring to portray an alternative option for how our world can look and feel, in contrast to the demanding, complicated and sometimes lonely one we walk through day by day. As children we peer through colourful pages into wells of words and magic, and we fall asleep listening to stories of beauty, mischief, kindness and harmony. As adults perhaps it becomes harder to keep these tenets anchored as reality requires endless absorption of information that is much more mundane, or nuanced, or downright distressing. And let's not forget the infinite decisions that must be made! The truth is that it is almost impossible to separate politics out from life, and if we can't escape it, then we must start influencing it back.

My work is an illustrated exploration of how our society could operate differently, in keeping with values generally found in children's books, in the form of an encyclopedia called The World of Erlenmeyer. Working by hand using ink pen and watercolour paints, I create animal characters and very detailed cross-sectional pieces of their urban society, which show how they live and work and play. There is a subtle underlying political commentary—Erlenmeyer promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities, safety and resources for all, environmental consideration, freedom, love, friendship and self-expression.

I remember how the books I read as a child sculpted out my vision and values for me as an adult. My dream is that through my encyclopedia and artwork (and those of others), children might embrace and hold fast to the stories and examples, such that one day they might together restructure our struggling societal system.

About Erlenmeyer

Erlenmeyer is the name of the civilisation of animals that inhabits Earth in the distant future. At some point around the mid 21st century, humans make some significant alterations to their political structures; chiefly the installation of scientists and philosophers at top levels of international governments. This leads to great technological advancements, as well as a reassessment of planetary health and the state of the Earth in general. Human societies re-prioritise accordingly, and unilaterally invest their research and efforts into moving the population to space, which enables the Earth to replenish and its ecosystems to rebalance. With humans gone, and the Earth on the mend, Earth's mother Gaia amuses herself by recruiting a raccoon to help her bestow sentience on a select party of animals, and guide them through portals to the future Earth which is lush and fully recovered. This party consists of 12 animals, 4 from land, 4 from air and 4 from sea. Each one will establish a city in its local surroundings, aided by the animals in proximity to it, as sentience is transferable. The Erlenmeyer encyclopedia walks the reader through each of the 12 cities and how they function together as a society, as well as shedding light on the nature of the individual with relation to homes, education, hobbies, jobs, culture and celebrations.

For additional information, please visit www.erlenmeyer.com.au.