I read Eucalyptus, a modern fairy tale and love story, in one extended sitting, not wanting to let go of the magic. I shouldn’t have been surprised that it was the same author who produced a seminal celebration of Fairweather’s art and life. I’d heard about Fairweather years ago when I visited Briby Island where he lived the life of a recluse. I was struck by his extraordinary tenacity and courage at heading off on a makeshift raft he built from Darwin across the seas to East Timor where he spent time before being deported by the Indonesian authorities and then going on to Singapore and London before returning to Briby Island where he built his hut. How could his painting not be influenced by a such a stripping back of self to embrace the elements in such a raw way. His painting struck me like lightning. The work of Emily Kame Kngwarreye had the same affect.