There are some things that feel unmistakably Australian. Sunshine. Eucalyptus. The smell of the bush after rain, and of course, the brilliant yellow explosion of wattle in late winter into early spring.

There are some things that feel unmistakably Australian. Sunshine. Eucalyptus. The smell of the bush after rain, and of course, the brilliant yellow explosion of wattle in late winter into early spring.

For this month’s Art & Gin, we’re celebrating one of Australia’s most recognisable symbols with our Wattleseed Martini made with our very own Spring Gin, featuring toasted wattleseed and sage. The result is fresh, herbaceous and distinctly Australian. We mix the gin with limoncello before shaking it over ice, letting the cold and dilution soften the botanicals into a bright, elegant martini.

This time, rather than pairing the cocktail with a contemporary artist, we’re looking at two very different representations of wattle: one historic, and one very personal.

A Wattle Portrait

Our historical artwork is Sir William Dargie’s famous 1954 Wattle Painting, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II created during her first visit to Australia. The painting has become something of an Australian cultural icon in its own right. The young Queen is depicted in a Norman Hartnell mimosa gold tulle dress adorned with sparkling gold wattle motifs, her hair is loosely pinned back under a diamond tiara given to her by her grandmother Queen Mary and she wears a diamond necklace received as a wedding present. The artwork is commonly thought to present an unusual juxtaposition of a graceful young woman and a regal Queen. 

I’ve been lucky enough to see the painting in person and, in what feels like a particularly Australian way to experience a piece of national history, I’ve also had the pleasure of eating a piece of fairy bread in its company.

It’s a strange and wonderful combination: an iconic portrait, golden wattle, and hundreds and thousands.

Wattle, Everywhere

Our second artwork is much closer to home – a photograph I took myself of wattle in bloom.

There’s something wonderful about photographing wattle because it doesn’t feel like it belongs to one particular part of Australia. It belongs to all of it. We have not selected a contemporary artist this month, instead we encourage you to get out and explore the artists who are inspired by wattles.

There are more than 800 species of Acacia growing across Australia, from coast to inland, from tropical regions to the alpine environments. Wattle is not just one landscape or one version of Australia. It is remarkably diverse – just like the country it represents.

Which brings us to a slightly political thought…

Should Australia Day be Wattle Day? We think there’s an interesting argument for it.

Rather than choosing a date that carries very different meanings for different Australians, what if we celebrated Australia on Wattle Day?

Wattle is already our national floral emblem. It is recognisably Australian, it grows across the country, and with more than 800 species, there is room for the many different landscapes, environments and communities that make up Australia.

Wattle Day already exists – but perhaps it deserves a bigger place in our national calendar. What better way to start the conversation than with a cocktail?
 
(Don’t eat this garnish – wattles can be poisonous) 

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