When Science Meets Art: Waterhouse Finalist 2026- Dr Anna Voytsekhovich

I first learned about the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize several years ago. Yet, immersed in teaching, working in the bush, travelling, and painting, I rarely found the time to pursue it seriously - until this past year. At last, I committed to submitting three works for the jury’s consideration, each exploring a different facet of Australian nature. Of these, one was selected for exhibition.

The first work, a watercolour of Sweet Wattle (Acacia suaveolens), explored the intricate relationships between the plant and its associated insect life. It forms part of my ongoing project Connections: Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, dedicated to the critically endangered ecological community found in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The second piece examined another form of interdependence: the complex relationship between the parasitic fungus Drechmeria gunnii and its host, the Rain Moth (Abantiades atripalpis). This work reflects my fascination with the delicate and often unseen balances within natural systems.

The third—and the work selected for exhibition - centres on my collection of East Coast Australian Seashells. Along the shoreline, the tide leaves behind quiet treasures shaped by water, current, and time. This composition brings together specimens gathered from different places, each holding the memory of its origin: the rhythm of waves, the texture of sand, the vastness of the Pacific. In arranging them, I wanted to not only to document their form, but to honour their subtle architecture and fragile beauty. This piece is a meditation on pattern, resilience, and impermanence. It is my attempt to reflect the poetry of the shoreline on paper.

Note: NatureArt Lab extends our warm congratulations to Anna for her exemplary scientific illustration, and we are proud to have Anna teaching with our professional team.