WA artist Philippa Nikulinsky accurately documents the natural environment of her home state in beautiful and intricate detail.
Story Aleisha Orr Artwork Philippa Nikulinsky
"It takes about a week to actually feel a place,” Philippa Nikulinsky AM says. “I find a spot to camp, and then I get to know that place, and I will walk daily in that place and see the plants, see the animals, and think about what I might draw.”
Philippa has been creating intricate artworks showcasing the beauty of native flora and fauna in her home state of WA for 5 decades. Now in her 80s, Philippa is widely revered, and her work was gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the Queen’s last trip to Australia.
Much of Philippa’s pieces are initially drawn with pencil, but she also likes to use fine ink pens. She often uses watercolours to bring her pictures to life.
On a large map of WA hanging in Philippa’s backyard studio, a network of dashed lines represents the remote trips she has taken, most of which lasted at least a few weeks and helped to build her extensive portfolio. “Being in the bush is an integral part of every picture,” she says.
This story excerpt is from Issue #161
Outback Magazine: June/July 2025
