Martha Iserman
Flora Fauna and Folklore
The Memo Healesville
Flora Fauna & Folklore
Explore the artwork from the exhibition by selecting a wall below.
Each section of the gallery represents a different realm of the natural world.
Click on the wall that matches where you are standing in the exhibit to view all the artworks in that area—complete with titles, prices, and availability.
Flora, Fauna, and Folklore
by Martha Iserman
The Memo Healesville
On Display 10 Jul 2025 - 28 Sep 2025
Flora, Fauna and Folklore bridges scientific illustration and myth, exploring
how humans have long imbued the natural world with symbolic meaning.
Through detailed watercolour and oil paintings, Martha Iserman examines
the stories, beliefs, and rituals inspired by real species and landscapes.
Arranged into four elemental realms, the ocean, forest, sky and artist's
studio, the exhibition invites viewers to explore nature as both subject and
allegorical symbol. Drawing on historical texts and mystical references, it
offers an immersive experience that reveals the connections between
observation, imagination, and the enduring unknown of the wild.
Each wall is aligned with one of the four classical elements of water, earth,
air, and fire. The ocean wall reflects the vast unknown, where real creatures
have inspired tales of the abyss. The forest floor is vibrant with hidden life;
fungi forms fairy rings, and animals hide in plain sight. The sky wall
examines birds as heavenly messengers, and the artist’s studio highlights
where natural history and creativity converge. By merging scientific
illustration with folklore, the exhibition inhabits the space between
knowledge and mystery, inviting viewers to see the duality of nature.
Martha merges natural history and storytelling, combining the precision of
scientific illustration with the symbolism of folklore. Using observational
techniques, she creates highly detailed compositions, reinterpreting familiar
species by shifting perspectives. Transforming a patch of mushrooms into a
dense cityscape or an insect into a creature of mythic presence, she
experiments with the interplay between individual works, arranging them to
suggest an interconnected ecosystem where each piece influences the next.
Closing Event and Artist's Talk
The Memo Healesville
27 Sep 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join artist and science illustrator Martha Iserman for an engaging talk exploring the history, techniques, and evolving role of scientific illustration in bridging art and knowledge.
Nature Journaling Workshops
The Memo Healesville
16 July- Sep 24 Wed Evenings 6:00pm-7:00pm
Join professional science illustrator Martha Iserman for an engaging one-hour workshop designed to deepen your connection to the natural world. Explore a variety of techniques and approaches to nature journaling and field sketching, learning how to hone your observation skills and spark curiosity about the world around you. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a complete beginner, this class will inspire you to see nature in a new light and capture its beauty in your journal.
What to bring: Bring a sketchbook and any supplies you’re comfortable with. Pencils, eraser, sharpener, and if you want to experiment with colour; coloured pencils or a water pen and portable watercolour set.
Click HERE for tickets