Mick Quilliam

This painting represents the butterflies at Rafters Basin on the Franklin River. This was the second journey in December 2006. There were 16 of us on this trip. The white dots represent the tea-tree that the butterflies came to rest on, as well as the 16 of us who camped out for the night amongst the tea-tree at Rafters Basin. Mick explains that the dark band through the centre is Rafters Basin on the Franklin River in south west Tasmania. The adjacent bands on either side show the river banks – clay and overhanging vegetation – edged with tea trees in flower. The butterflies of this species are endemic to this area and are attracted to the warmth of the rafters bodies. They made quite an impression on Mick on his 2 journeys down the Franklin River to Kuta Kina Cave – an ancient habitation site occupied by his ancestors some 30-35,000 years ago.