Sharon Field – The Scrolls – 3,000 days…and counting

What does it mean to pay attention to the natural world every single day?

In response to a 2021 United Nations report warning that global temperatures must remain below a 1.5°C increase by 2030, botanical artist Sharon Field embarked on an extraordinary act of observation and hope. Beginning on Earth Hour, 26 March 2022, Sharon committed to creating one botanical drawing every day for the 3,000 days leading to 2030.

Focusing on plants and the intricate relationships they share with their surrounding ecosystems, The Scrolls – 3,000 Days and Counting is both a personal ritual and a powerful reflection on our changing environment. Each drawing captures a fleeting moment in nature, together forming a growing visual record of connection, resilience and care.

Now stretching more than 50 metres in length, the evolving paper scrolls invite visitors to slow down, look closely and consider the beauty and fragility of the living world. As the project continues towards 2030, the installation stands as both an artwork and a quiet call to action—reminding us that meaningful change begins with sustained attention.

About Sharon

Sharon Field is an award-winning botanical artist and educator whose practice explores the beauty, resilience and interconnectedness of plants and their environmental partners. Inspired by the urgency of climate action, Sharon left a government career following the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference (COP15) to become a full-time artist, after working with Australia's international aid program across Africa and the Pacific.

A volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years, Sharon has witnessed firsthand the impacts of environmental change on Australia's ecosystems, shaping a practice that encourages people to slow down, observe closely and connect more deeply with the natural world. She has presented 12 solo exhibitions, received national and international awards, delivered numerous talks on climate change and botanical art, and led workshops throughout Australia and overseas, inspiring audiences to discover the remarkable stories hidden within the plants that surround us.

Extend Your Experience

A Sense of Place Workshop
Sunday 6 September | 10.30am–1.30pm | Burrinja Arts Workshop
Inspired by The Scrolls, join Sharon Field for a creative workshop exploring your own connection to the natural world. Through guided drawing, observation and storytelling, you'll create a personal scroll inspired by a place in nature that holds special meaning to you.
Leave with a unique artwork that reflects your relationship with the environment—something to treasure, share with family and friends, and continue developing long after the workshop concludes.

Other Program Highlights

Alongside this installation, a series of additional exhibitions and installations will activate spaces throughout Burrinja Cultural Centre during the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale #4.

Acquisitive Award Exhibition
Saturday 22 August – Sunday 25 October - Burrinja Gallery
40 artists from across Australia have been selected to participate in the exhibition. Featuring both local and nationally recognised artists, the Acquisitive Award Exhibition sits at the heart of BCCB#4, showcasing an inspiring and thought-provoking collection of works that respond to the urgent conversations surrounding climate change and the environment.

Dale Cox — Panacea
22 Aug – 8 Nov | Foyer Gallery
Castlemaine-based contemporary artist Dale Cox works across film, painting and sculpture, often appropriating found objects for alteration and reinvention. His recent paintings and sculptural works addressing bushfires examine climate change, the precarious imbalance of human-altered environments, and the ancient rhythms of the Australian landscape.

Liz Magor — Roll-up
22 Aug – 25 Oct | Airlock Gallery
Canadian artist Liz Magor presents sculptural and photographic works that explore the latent and affective qualities of familiar materials, images and objects. Her dramatic installations encapsulate the chaos of contemporary life, assembling everyday objects into confounding and unsettling narratives.

Main Artwork by Dale Cox, Cradle Mountain Extract 2, 2024, acrylic on gold enamel on board.