How do creatures that have remained essentially unchanged navigate a world that never stops changing? This idea lies at the heart of Joleen Ford’s collection, Between Then and Now.

Working in acrylic on linen, Joleen balances careful observation with artistic interpretation, creating elegant bird portraits that capture the personality, intelligence and quiet beauty of Australia’s native birds. Inspired by travel and everyday observations, she combines natural settings with urban and vintage objects to tell imaginative stories that are both humorous and thought-provoking.

Her work invites viewers to pause, smile and consider the remarkable adaptability of birds as they continue to flourish alongside an ever-changing human world.