SECRETS OF SEAWEED – A HOLDFAST ART PROJECT

Jo Fife and Sally O'Connor

13 April - 2 June 2024
Main Gallery & Margaret Scott Gallery

In Secrets of Seaweed, Limestone Coast artists and collaborators Jo Fife and Sally O’Connor present artworks of diverse materials and approaches put together in the service of a deeper understanding of the limestone coastline and its seabed ecology. 

Fuelled by a passion for the preservation of marine life and biodiversity, Sally and Jo first joined forces as Holdfast Art Project in 2021, bringing together local artists in the region to take a closer look at the unique character of the coastline, in particular the Bonney Upwelling that hosts the most diverse algae species in the world. 

Using hand dyed and almost entirely gifted, reused and recycled materials, Fife’s approach to object making invokes the fragility of our seabed ecology while revelling in the wonders of marine lifeforms. O’Connor, working mainly in painting and printmaking, employs her background in botanical science to take us on a deep dive into the bizarre cellular world of holdfasts, seagrasses and red, green and brown algae.

OPENING NIGHT
Friday 12 April, 6:00pm
Free entry. Bar service available.
RSVP essential – register online here.

ARTISTS’ TALK
Saturday 13 April, 12:00pm
Free event. Bookings not required.

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
—
Botanical Drawing with Anne Miles
Sunday 5 May, 11:00am – 2:30pm
$50/$45 conc.
Click here to book

Digital Art Club
Saturday 25 May, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Sally O’Connor will share her experience shifting from painting and printmaking to digital illustration using Procreate. Bring your own iPad and embrace the opportunity to connect with fellow creatives.
Free event. Drop-in session (bookings not required).

Freeform Stitching Workshop with Jo Fife
Saturday 1 June, 10:30am – 2:30pm
$65/$55 conc.
Basic sewing knowledge required, BYO sewing machine
Click here to book

For more information on the Holdfast Project visit holdfastlimestonecoast.com

This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program, and is funded by the landscape levy.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

Also supported by:

 

Image: Sally O’Connor, Red Cross Section, 2024, digital artwork on metal print