Griffith Regional Art Gallery is delighted to present JamFactory ICON Julie Blyfield: Chasing a Passion, a major touring exhibition celebrating one of Australia's most acclaimed contemporary jewellers and metalsmiths.
The exhibition opens Saturday 8 November 2025 and will be on display until Sunday 18 January 2026, with a special opening event on Friday 14 November 2025 at 6pm.
Part of JamFactory's prestigious ICON series, which honours South Australia's leading visual artists working in craft-based media, this exhibition showcases the remarkable artistry of Julie Blyfield. With a career spanning more than 35 years, Blyfield is renowned for her intricately detailed jewellery and sculptural objects inspired by the forms, textures and patterns of Australian botanicals, plants and marine life. Her exquisite craftsmanship brings to life the fine textures and intricate details of the natural world.
The exhibition presents a new collection of meticulously hand-crafted works inspired by Blyfield's experiences exploring the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef in far North Queensland. Drawing on these landscapes, she transforms sterling silver and bi-metal into delicate works that capture the fragility and beauty of nature.
One of Australia's most revered craft practitioners, Blyfield is a master of the traditional metalsmithing techniques of chasing and repoussé. Arising from the French word chasser ('to chase'), chasing is a process whereby intricate designs are struck using a chasing hammer and small steel tools to create line and pattern on the annealed metal surface. The technique of chasing dates to 3000 BCE and is applied in conjunction with the technique of repoussé ('push up' in French), in which raised designs are made by hitting the metal upwards from both the front and reverse sides to create volume and form.
"I see the world of plants and nature through the lens of a jeweller, the micro world and all its details are a fascination for me," Blyfield said
"I enjoy working from the ephemeral, reinterpreting nature's details which I experience and witness firsthand... I am touched by nature."
Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator Melanie Toscan said the Gallery is honoured to present such an exceptional exhibition.
"Julie Blyfield's work is truly exquisite, it combines incredible technical skill with a deep emotional connection to nature," Ms Toscan said.
"Her pieces invite us to slow down, look closely, and reflect on the beauty and fragility of the world around us. We're thrilled to have Julie join us in Griffith for the opening and to share her passion with our community."
Through her meticulous craft, Blyfield invites viewers to pause and reflect on the wonder and fragility of the natural world. Her latest body of work, Viridescent Corallium, immortalises threatened forests and corals in precious metal, evoking both awe and reverence for the environments that inspire her.
The public is invited to attend the official opening event on Friday 14 November 2025 at 6pm, where guests can meet the artist and explore the exhibition while enjoying light refreshments. The exhibition will be on display from Saturday 8 November 2025 through to Sunday 18 January 2026.
IMAGE: Julie Blyfield, Corallium brooches #1–19, 2024, patinated bi-metal: copper, sterling silver, oxidised sterling silver, enamel paint, wax, largest: 90 x 113 x 15 mm, photographer: Grant Hancock
