What's good for plants, is good for us; How artists are deepening our relationship with plants in the Public Realm.
Join sector experts in celebrating the opening of Airborne: The Art of Avant Gardener Lloyd Godman with a Panel Discussion investigating the opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt by artists and practitioners working with plants in the Public Realm. Hear from panelists who are seeking to redress the balance by promoting ideas of super-sustainability, art as nature, and nurturing our urban habitat, as well as how each of them has sought to overcome the various obstacles in their public projects.
Getting here:
- Dandenong Civic Centre is a 5-minute walk from Dandenong train station and bus stops.
- Paid carparks are located along Walker and Thomas Streets. Please be aware of parking time limits for all on-road parking.
Building access:
- Ground Level (Lonsdale Street, Dandenong) - Enter via glass doors. Take stairs or lift to Level 2.
- Level 2 (via Harmony Square) - Enter through glass doors and turn left.
Date and Time
Thursday 13 August, 3.30pm-5pm
Date and Time
-
Location
Dandenong Civic Centre
225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Contact Details
Cost of Event (if any)
Cost: $15 per person. Registrations required.
Bookings/Registrations
Add to Calendar
2026-08-13 15:30:00
2026-08-13 15:30:00
Airborne - Panel Discussion
What's good for plants, is good for us; How artists are deepening our relationship with plants in the Public Realm.Join sector experts in celebrating the opening of Airborne: The Art of Avant Gardener Lloyd Godman with a Panel Discussion investigating the opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt by artists and practitioners working with plants in the Public Realm. Hear from panelists who are seeking to redress the balance by promoting ideas of super-sustainability, art as nature, and nurturing our urban habitat, as well as how each of them has sought to overcome the various obstacles in their public projects.Getting here:Dandenong Civic Centre is a 5-minute walk from Dandenong train station and bus stops.Paid carparks are located along Walker and Thomas Streets. Please be aware of parking time limits for all on-road parking.Building access: Ground Level (Lonsdale Street, Dandenong) - Enter via glass doors. Take stairs or lift to Level 2.Level 2 (via Harmony Square) - Enter through glass doors and turn left.
Australia/Melbourne
public
Panellists
Stu Jones
Melbourne-based structural engineer and design leader with more than 30 years' experience delivering major civic and cultural projects. Known for bridging engineering, architecture and creative practice, he takes a collaborative approach that combines technical expertise with design innovation. His work with ecological artist Lloyd Godman explored the integration of living plant systems into architecture, reflecting his ongoing commitment to sustainability and interdisciplinary design.
Dr Heather Hesterman
Naarm/Melbourne-based artist, researcher and educator whose interdisciplinary practice spans photography, collage, print, installation and public art. Through walking, workshops and creative encounters, she explores human–plant relationships and cultivates chlorophilia—a deep love of plants. Her work is held in major Australian and international collections, and she teaches in the School of Art at RMIT University.
Andrew Laidlaw
Landscape architect and educator best known for his work at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. He has led the design of landmark projects including the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden, Guilfoyle's Volcano, the award-winning Arid Garden and the Gardens' 20-year Master Plan. Andrew has taught landscape design at the University of Melbourne for more than 35 years and is a regular guest on Gardening Australia, sharing his passion for connecting people with nature.
Facilitator
Nicole Bowler
Melbourne-based artist and curator whose painting practice explores the relationship between people and the natural world. She holds a Master of Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Sydney, and has worked with the George Baldessin Estate, Baldessin Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne and Heide Museum of Modern Art. Her latest body of work, Avant Gardener (2024–25), was created in the greenhouse of ecological artist Lloyd Godman.
The panel discussion will be followed by Airborne - Curator Talk. We invite you to stay and continue the conversation with the exhibition curator.
