Art meets ecology in the outback
A student project is drawing attention to native Australian animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home.
Published on the 04 June 2025 by Samantha Dunn
Detail from ‘Wild Deserts’ 2025 by Eva Nolan.
Eva Nolan, a PhD candidate at ʹڲƱ Arts, Design & Architecture, is trying to do something radical with pencil and paper. Her drawings of native Australian animals aren’t just beautiful – they’re part of a bigger mission to rethink how we see and relate to the natural world.
Her work blends scientific precision with artistic imagination, creating images that don’t just show animals, but the ecosystems they’re part of.
“I’ve always loved natural history illustrations for their detail and delicacy,” Nolan says. “But I started to notice a paradox. These drawings are full of care, yet they often depict animals that were taken from t