About the Artist and Exhibition:

Rejectamenta is an exhibition of fine watercolour drawings by Sian Rachel Marlow exploring the inherent beauty and contradictions of Victorian era classification systems of nature, specifically the work of the Irish phycologist (seaweed botantist), William Henry Harvey.

Harvey sailed to Australia in 1854. The collection of algae from his voyage incorporated and catalogued many species on the southwest Victorian coast where Sian lives and works. Harvey’s endeavours ultimately resulted in Phycologia Australica, five volumes of algae classification published between 1858 and 1863.

The narrative arc of the watercolour images of seaweed in Rejectamenta begins with realistic representations until they become increasingly subjective, psychological and imaginary. This progression embodies the memory of nature viewed in its environment and the movement, colour, form and similarity of the forms to other natural ecologies, particularly organs of the human body.

View the Catalogue for Rejectamenta by Sian Marlow here (please note: sales for this catalogue have now closed)