Colin Hyett: My Biosphere

15 January - 23 February 2025


COLIN HYETT: My Biosphere

15 January - 23 February, 2025


Landscape designer and artist Colin Hyett unveils My Biosphere, a striking collection of abstract works inspired by the vibrant, layered ecosystems that surround him.

Drawing from his deep connection to nature and his background in fine arts, Hyett reacts to his surroundings through paint, capturing the essence of the natural world while reflecting on humanity’s place within it.

At the core of this series is Hyett’s experimental approach to materials. Using a mix of oil paints, enamels, and water-based paints, he allows the chemistry of these mediums to dictate moments of unpredictability. The way paint flows, bonds, and repels creates textures and patterns that echo natural processes - raindrops running off leaves, sunlight filtering through cacti and succulents, or the delicate bloom of a cacti flower. Each canvas becomes a living, reactive environment, where Hyett’s intuitive gestures mirror the rhythms and spontaneity of nature itself.

A signature element of the collection is Hyett’s joyful portrayal of cacti and succulents. Rendered in sugary, vibrant colours - hot pinks, neon yellows, and luscious greens - Hyett transforms these organic forms into whimsical confections, blurring the line between flora and fantasy. This candy-coloured palette draws viewers into a dreamlike biosphere where the organic world is both familiar and fantastical, inviting moments of wonder and delight.

The paintings exude energy, layering bold forms and textures with dripping, fluid movements that reflect the interplay of chaos and harmony in the ecosystems we inhabit. Hyett’s work invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the environment - how we shape and are shaped by the environment around us.

My Biosphere is a celebration of life’s vibrancy and fragility, a fusion of Hyett’s artistic practice and his deep-rooted connection to the landscapes he designs. Through his unique lens, Hyett transforms his environment into vivid, edible-like compositions that challenge us to see the world as both a delicate ecosystem and a sensory feast.


Colin Hyett has spent over 20 years establishing himself as an innovative and highly creative landscape designer. Based on the Mornington Peninsula, his work seamlessly blends a refined artistic vision with a practical understanding of drought-tolerant plants, particularly succulents and cacti, that thrive in Australia’s challenging climate. His gardens evoke a fusion of influences, from the mid-century modernist allure of Palm Springs and the Hollywood Hills to the timeless elegance of Tuscany, the serene minimalism of Japan, and the raw beauty of bushland explored on his local walks.

Colin’s creative journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Sculpture, completed with Honours at Monash University in 2005. His background in the visual arts is the cornerstone of his distinctive approach to landscape design. Prior to landscaping, Colin honed his craft as a pastry chef, training under Hermann Schneider. This unique combination of artistic and culinary disciplines sharpened his eye for detail, balance, and form, which he now applies to shaping outdoor spaces.

Drawing inspiration from artists such as Jeffrey Smart, Cy Twombly, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Colin’s landscapes reflect his passion for contrasts—dry meets lush, warm foliage collides with cool hues, and structural elements complement organic forms. His personal garden, celebrated in Open Gardens Australia and Open Garden Victoria, exemplifies his signature style, which he describes as “Palm Springs meets Mornington Peninsula.”


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