Ellis Rowan: Colonialism and Nature Painting

The 125 paintings acquired by Queensland Museum in 1912 — some now too fragile for display — comprise meticulously detailed depictions of plants and flowers encountered by Rowan during her six field trips to tropical Far North Queensland. 

The exhibition Ellis Rowan: Colonialism and Nature Painting (July 2024 until April 2025) pays tribute to an exceptional woman who pushed the boundaries of what women could achieve in art, exploration, travel and science. The selection of artworks and objects presented also invites viewers to consider Ellis Rowan’s encounters with First Nations people, Country and Culture, and the circumstances that enabled her extensive oeuvre.