Exploring the intersection of art and science, this unique exhibition celebrates the extraordinary world of our hidden underwater forests. ‘Seaweed Arboretum’, by artists Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford of Turpin Crawford Studio, is part of Manly’s Seaweed Forests Festival, a unique collaboration between the artists and Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). The Festival’s innovative program of talks, workshops and events will bring MAG&M to life.

This project is supported by SIMS and the NSW Government’s My Community Project. 

Book in to the special events during Manly’s Seaweed Forests Festival here

Learn more about Operation Crayweed here

Artists Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford describe their practice as ‘collaborations with nature’. Their work engages directly with material or energy of nature – plants, light, wind, water - to develop artworks that are responsive to the specific qualities or rhythms of their chosen medium. Their artworks are the manifestation, and continuation, of a dialogue between artists and aspects of nature. In Seaweed Arboretum, the dialogue is with seaweeds, their water memories, and light.

The three installations in Seaweed Arboretum – Forest, Flora and Float, provide a poetic and experiential ‘habitat’ for Manly’s Seaweed Forest Festival. The exhibition has been developed especially for the Festival, and is the most recent project in a long-term collaboration between the artists and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, as well as marine biologists from the University of Sydney and the University of NSW.

The investigative knowledge of science, and the poetic expression of art, are interwoven to immerse us in the wonder, value, and critical importance of the seaweed forests of the Great Southern Reef. We are encouraged to consider our inter-relationship to the life-sustaining and finely-balanced ecosystems of the incredible marine environment - just metres beyond the gallery door.

The Manly Seaweed Forests Festival is grateful to Australian Kelp Products for their generous donation of Bull Kelp used in Seaweed Arboretum - Forest.