In Paradisus Terestris, Hall uses the juxtaposition of the human body and native flora to imply a collision between Culture and Nature.

Paradisus Terrestris entitled is a series of fifteen sardine cans, transformed from mundane detritus of contemporary consumption into refined aesthetic objects. The wound-down top of each tin reveals a human erogenous zone or body-part. Sprouting above these are botanically correct representations of native flora – suggestive equivalents of the anatomical details below. While these suggestive associations are often visual puns, Hall also uses the juxtaposition of the human body and native flora to imply a collision between Culture and Nature. Each component of the work bears three titles: the local Aboriginal plant name specific to the language group indicated in parentheses, the Latin (botanical) name, and the common English name. 

Paradisus Terrestris entitled has art historical referents in examples of colonial decorative arts. For nineteenth-century goldsmiths and silversmiths, most of whom were European immigrants, Australian native flora and fauna provided a bizarre and diverse stock of new decorative forms. Hall’s inclusion of Aboriginal names (in consultation with indigenous peoples) in conjunction with Latin and common plant names refers to the colonial appropriation of land, and to laying claim to land through language. ‘… Entitled’ refers specifically to concepts of ownership, and situates Hall’s virtuoso suite of sardine cans squarely within the discourses of postcolonialism. 

— Jason Smith, NGA 




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Fiona Hall Cannabis sativa / Marijuana, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Cannabis sativa / Marijuana, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Adansoina digitata / Baobab, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Adansoina digitata / Baobab, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Apium graveolens / Celery, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Apium graveolens / Celery, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Narcissus x odorus / Daffodil, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Narcissus x odorus / Daffodil, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Pyrus communis / Pear, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Pyrus communis / Pear, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Cyathea cooperi / Tree fern, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Cyathea cooperi / Tree fern, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Araucaria araucana / Monkey puzzle, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Araucaria araucana / Monkey puzzle, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Passiflora edulis / Passionfruit, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Passiflora edulis / Passionfruit, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Panadus tectorius / Screw pine, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Panadus tectorius / Screw pine, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Dionaea mascipula / Venus fly-trap, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Dionaea mascipula / Venus fly-trap, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Kawee (Tjapwurong) / Xanthorrhoea australis / Black boy, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Kawee (Tjapwurong) / Xanthorrhoea australis / Black boy, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Cynara scolymus / Globe artichoke, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Cynara scolymus / Globe artichoke, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm
Fiona Hall Salix babylonica / Weeping willow, 1989-90; from the series Paradisus Terrestris; aluminium & tin; 25 x 12 x 3 cm; enquire
Salix babylonica / Weeping willow, 1989-90
from the series Paradisus Terrestris
aluminium & tin
25 x 12 x 3 cm