Julie Blyfield is a UniSA alumnus and a South Australian/Tarntanya-based artist with a thirty-five year practice forging metals into botanical forms. In this new body of larger-scale copper objects, Blyfield investigates the unique red seaweeds found along the coast of southern Australia. To develop the work, Blyfield spent time in the State Herbarium of South Australia, building her knowledge and understanding of this type of marine algae.

By researching, photographing and sketching, she gained an understanding of each of the specimens which were the inspiration for the fifteen works. Shown as a sculptural installation in a darkened gallery space, flowers of the sea references 19th century specimen albums and highlights the fragility of our precious marine environment and the elements that threaten and sustain them.

Catalogue essay by Emma O'Neill.