Surfacing by Julie Blyfield

Artist list

Julie Blyfield

Surfacing is an extension of the ideas I developed after studying collections of red marine algae specimens stored in the State Herbarium of South Australia. The incredible variety and detail of the specimens captured my imagination and became the genesis for this new body of work.

I looked closely and explored the simple shapes, forms, and details of the pressed specimens, simplifying the details to repetitive elements. I am interested in the ‘slow' crafting process and building technique and skills over an extended period.

Working on surface patterns and detail, my pieces are labour intensive and require patience and time to create. Through the process of chasing, I rhythmically work small steel tools over the surface of the softened (annealed) metal to achieve volume and form in the pieces. Using both sterling silver and Bi-metal (copper fused to sterling silver), I have transformed the surface finish using metal patination - a Verdigris to echo the colours of the sea.

As I work the metal often unpredictable outcomes evolve as the object takes on a life of its own. Working from actual specimen collections and translating them into new designs and jewellery pieces is what I enjoy.'


About the artist:
Julie Blyfield has worked for over 30 years at her practice, currently from her own independent studio overlooking her garden environment in Maylands, South Australia. Blyfield’s jewellery and object work is inspired by research into botanical specimens, historical silver collections and the rich diversity of the Australian landscape, which she interprets using the technique of metal chasing, hammering and surface chiselling, predominately in sterling silver and more recently, copper. 

In 2007, Blyfield was a recipient of the prestigious South Australian Living Artists Award which celebrated her achievements with a major monograph about her life and work, published by Wakefield Press. An Australia Council - Creative Australia Award (2015-16) offered Blyfield the opportunity to create and exhibit Panorama a significant body of new jewellery and objects for an international touring solo exhibition at Ruthin Crafts Centre, North Wales; The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh and Bilk Gallery in Canberra in 2017. Blyfield collaborated with Kirsten Coelho, a potter to present Ormolu at Gallery Funaki opening in October, 2017 touring to The Jam Factory in Adelaide and The National in Christchurch, New Zealand. In 2018 she presented a solo exhibition Flora at Irene Belfi Gallery in Milan, Italy.

Blyfield’s jewellery and metalwork is held in Australian and International museum collections including the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra; the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, France; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, United Kingdom. Her work has been shown in International Art and Design Fairs such as Collect, London, UK and Chicago SOFA in America. Blyfield’s work has also been selected for the prestigious international jewellery exhibition - Schmuck and her silver objects have been shown at the Schoonhoven Silver Award several times in her career.

Blyfield has travelled, lectured and presented workshops in Australia, United States of America, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. As part of her practice she regularly mentors emerging jewellers, sharing her knowledge, skills and professional experience. She is currently mentoring the Jam Factory Metal Associates in 2019. Blyfield has won numerous prizes for her work including the Overall Winner of the South Australian Museum Natural History Art Prize where her work was acquired by the South Australian Museum collection.