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From 4 March 2021, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah will host a new art exhibition called Through the Smoke, Through our Eyes. 

Curated by the Botanic Garden team, the exhibition will showcase 27 pieces of artwork that tell the stories and experiences of the staff who helped defend the Garden from the 2019 Gospers Mountain bushfire ‘mega-blaze’ that swept through the area.

Of the thousands of hectares burnt, the iconic cool-climate Garden lost portions of the unique Living Collection and most of the surrounding conservation area.

“When catastrophic bushfires spread across New South Wales creating what we now remember as the ‘Black Summer’, many of our natural landscapes were destroyed and communities were left devastated,” said Denise Ora, Chief Executive of the Botanic Gardens Greater Sydney.

“This exhibition provides a moment of reflection for the Mount Tomah team who are not only part of the local community that was hit by Australia’s largest forest fire, but also fiercely passionate people who have dedicated their lives to protect our natural environment and the Gardens regrowth.

I’m extremely grateful to the emergency service personnel, volunteers, local community and staff who risked so much to deal with the bushfires and I’m looking forward to learning about their personal journey and celebrating their courage.”

On display at the Visitor Centre, the artworks range from photography, through to sculpture and poetry. Entry is free.