Teresa Purnell | SnakeAbout

October 19 2019 — February 2 2020

Volunteer snake catcher, educator and natural history illustrator Teresa Purnell presents an exhibition of serpentine splendour.

The diminutive artist is perhaps not your typical snake wrangler, but after a decade with Hunter Wildlife Rescue and studying snakes in detail for her Natural History Illustration Honours degree at the University of Newcastle, she has learnt a great deal about the creatures, including the fact that they are widely misunderstood.

With the aim of helping to reduce reptile fear, promote co-existence with reptiles within the community and snake conservation, a collection of detailed works that are both stunning and informative have been created

“Much patience is required to produce these artworks, but it is through these illustrations that the true beauty of reptiles is revealed,” says Teresa, whose unofficial mission statement is to “enlighten, not frighten”.

Included here are watercolours highlighting identifying features of snake and lizard species commonly found on the east coast of NSW, identification posters, snake models, illustrated co-existence strategies, preliminary sketches, shed snakeskins and photographs.