Elsa Thorp is a South Melbourne artist who reconfigures local flora into idealised compositional forms. Thorp immerses herself in botanical materials in a creative process that blurs the distinction between the forms of the plants and the work of the artist. In doing so, her works invite us to question what constitutes nature - and whether we should consider ourselves part of it.
Naturally dried arrangements, and seasonal materials presented fresh to slowly decay, change over the duration of their display. These processes of composition and decay are documented by Thorp in a series of powerful photographs which accompany the sculptural works in the exhibition.
Botanica Sculptilia will showcase natures fascinating forms and the therapeutic benefits of crafting with organic materials.
Image: courtesy of the artist.