"The Adelaide Park Lands Association (APA) is a non-profit community based organisation focused on advocating exploration and restoration of open green public spaces, while also acting as a tenacious watch-dog for the protection of our National Heritage listed park lands. A jewel in Adelaide’s crown, the Adelaide Park Lands are regularly threatened by environmental factors, introduced species and the ever present threat of destruction under the guise of ‘progress’ and economic benefit.It's ironic to enter a prickly pear into a prize championing nature preservation and protection. Prickly pears are invasive weeds with negative environmental effects in Australia, yet whose fruit we can harvest and eat. Much like the encroaching greed and insatiable desire for more land from developers and politicians, the prickly pear slowly but surely occupies and takes over a space until it dominates the landscape.
I hope by re-imagining them in a glass art form, we can draw different appreciation for the majesty and tenacity of nature. Passionate community groups, like APA, sustain unique public green spaces, despite the inexorable threats from 'prickly pears.’
For this artwork, I chose to use colours from the West Terrace Cemetery, where my Irish ancestors are buried. An often under-utilised public space, ideal for exploration and reflection. (G.S. Kingston Park/Wirrarninthi, Park 23)
Adelaide glass artist Emma Young enjoys connecting with her audience by invoking familiarity with her hand made glass pieces. Themes often involve nostalgia, pride in local icons, and childhood memories. Emma can be followed online @emmayoungglass"