Under the Jacaranda by Lacey Pohle

Brisbane has always felt like more than just a city to me. It’s where I find inspiration, connection, and a deep sense of creative possibility. This self-portrait is set inside the Queensland Art Gallery, one of my favourite places. Behind me hangs a famous painting of Brisbane’s jacarandas: symbols of beauty, renewal, and the city’s rich cultural identity. By placing myself within this space, I wanted to show how much I value the role art plays in shaping who we are and how we see the world around us.

The gallery feels like a place of calm reflection, but also of momentum. It’s where I come to pause and take in what others have created, and where I imagine what might come next for myself as an artist. Through this work, I hope to capture that feeling of belonging. Brisbane’s creative legacy continues to influence the way I think, see, and paint, and it reminds me that there’s always more to explore.