Flourish: Somaya Ahmadi | Janet Matthews | Sam Michelle | Jennie-maree Tempest

The exhibition Flourish brings together the work of four talented artists from our region, who share through their varying art practices, an enduring fascination and connection to flowers. 

Flowers have long coloured the lands of the Kulin nation, soft reminders of everyday beauty and cycles of life. Florals have firmly captured the fascination of South-East artists Janet Matthews, Jennie-maree Tempest, Sam Michelle and Somaya Ahmadi, whose work feature intricate and vibrant flowers. These detailed works capture the sculptural and textual quality of florals, forefronting their dynamism and unique form. The intimacy of textiles and still-life instil our connection with nature, inspiring moments of pause and ancestral connection. Each gesture reveals a deep understanding of the anatomy and spirit of flowers, interweaving a sense of self, place and connection to the natural world. 

Flourish featured as part of the Floribunda Opening Night Gala and continues to be on display for visitors to enjoy in the Bunjil Place Foyer until 12 May.  

Join the artists for an evening talk and walk through their displays at Bunjil Place on Thursday 24 April. The Artist Talk and Toast is a chance to meet and hear directly from each artist as they share more about their work and connections to flowers. 

_{Header image: Jennie-maree Tempest, Blooming Botanicals 2025 (detail), fibre art-fabric and thread, installation variable. Courtesy the artist}

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

Somaya Ahmadi

My name is Somaya Ahmadi, and I'm an Afghan migrant who moved to Australia in 2019. From a young age, I had a passion for fashion, often making clothes for my dolls from scrap fabric lying around the house. After settling in Melbourne’s South-East I pursued my dream of studying fashion with the guidance of my mentor, Sarah. I am proud to be an alumni of The Social Studio in Apparel, Clothing, and Textile. Today, I run my own label, MAYA AMADI. 

_{Portrait of Somaya Ahmadi}  

Somaya Ahmadi has made a new garment for the exhibition Flourish. "This velvet black jacket features hand-embroidered tulips, meticulously crafted by my dear mother, who is the talented artisan behind all the embroidery for my label. I feel incredibly fortunate and deeply grateful to have the privilege of working alongside her. The bond we share as mother and daughter, collaborating on each piece, is something I treasure. The tulip design on this jacket is inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of Mazar-e-Sharif, a province in Afghanistan. Every spring, the hills of Mazar-e-Sharif come alive with vibrant blankets of tulips, creating a stunning sea of colour. People from all over the country travel to this beautiful region to witness the spectacle, often gathering with their families and loved ones to share a picnic amidst the flourishing fields. This design is not only a tribute to my heritage but also a celebration of the beauty and unity that these tulips represent in my home country." 

@maya_amadi 

Janet Matthews

Janet Matthews is a multi-award-winning artist exhibiting regularly in Australia and overseas. Working from her Narre Warren North studio, Janet works in colour pencil and graphite with a hand cut layer. She loves to draw Australia’s botanical and wildlife subjects with intensity, personality and precise details, inspiring viewers to engage with the beauty and uniqueness of our natural world. 

 _{Portrait of Janet Matthews in her studio, 2025}

Janet Matthew's five new works on paper prepared especially for the exhibition Flourish, showcase stages of the flower life cycle, from bud to bloom, also highlighting the micro-world of flowers, by incorporating bugs and insects through precise pencil work.  “My art is my passion.  I want to engage and inspire viewers with the beauty and uniqueness of our natural world.” - Janet Matthews, 2025

www.janetmatthews.com.au

Sam Michelle

Sam Michelle is a full-time oil painter based in Blind Bight, Victoria, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Drawing from the tradition of still life, her practice explores composition and storytelling through her extensive collection of ceramics, textiles, and homegrown flowers. Inspired by her ever-expanding coastal cottage garden, Michelle’s richly textured paintings capture the beauty of botanical forms. Michelle is Represented by Martin Browne Contemporary (Sydney) and her paintings are held in public and private collections across Australia and beyond.

 _{Portrait of Sam Michelle in her studio. Photo: Shannon McGrath}

For the exhibition Flourish, Sam Michelle has painted a new work in response to Margaret Preston’s painting Flannel flowers 1938. This work from the National Gallery of Victoria collection is featured in the exhibition Floribunda, currently on display in the Bunjil Place Gallery.

“I have created a work in conversation with Margaret Preston’s Flannel flowers 1938, reinterpreting her approach through my own lens. Instead of using the flannel flower as the focal point, I have chosen Banksia hookeriana, with its golden-orange hues and sculptural form. The flannel flower still appears, subtly woven through—just as Preston incorporated Blandfordia. I have also inverted her colour relationships, exploring how shifts in tone create a new sense of rhythm and balance. This work is also inspired by the Red Sand Garden at the Australian Garden in Cranbourne. Its bold red earth, designed to evoke the arid heart of the continent, highlights the resilience of native flora. By weaving elements of this landscape into my painting, I seek to honour both the strength and delicacy of Australia’s plant life, much like Preston did in her time.”  – Sam Michelle, 2025 

@sammichellepaintings

Jennie-maree Tempest

Jennie-maree Tempest is a fibre artist living in a small coastal village on Victoria’s Bass Coast. She has been working with textiles for over 30 years, teaching and accruing awards, and selling artwork worldwide. Jennie-maree is inspired by her garden and the rugged cliffs, sprawling scrub and wildflowers that surround her coastal studio and home. She often works from live plants, pulling them apart to understand them and form detailed textile sculptures. Instead of perfect replicas, she seeks to organically capture the soul of plants.

_{Portrait of Jennie-maree Tempest in her studio, 2025}

Jennie-maree Tempest's installation, Blooming Botanicals showcases her astute skill for recreating three-dimensional botanicals in fabric and thread. These highly detailed forms capture the sculptural quality of flowers in the height of their beauty, bustling with colour and vibrancy. Jennie-maree does not strive to purely replicate flora, but celebrate fabric and thread. Visible embroidery creates texture and dimension throughout this blossoming installation, created especially for Bunjil Place audiences to enjoy from 29 March to 12 May.  

@jemartem.textiles