Big Dishy

Round. Full. Buoyant. A piece of seaweed so perfectly formed it looks like it's about to float away.

This is Sarcothalia — a genus of red algae native to New Zealand's southern waters. And this particular specimen has a name with a story behind it.

The late Nancy Adams — beloved New Zealand botanical illustrator, collector, and one of the great chroniclers of this country's marine flora — took one look at Sarcothalia's broad, generous, dish-like frond and called it what it clearly was: Big Dishy. The nickname captured something that the Latin never quite could. The warmth of it. The character. The sheer, unapologetic roundness.

This specimen was found at Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island/Rakiura — washed in on an East swell, delivered to the shore by the same direction that always brings first light. The East wash-up is one of the island's great gifts: the ocean rolling in from the open sea, depositing whatever it has been carrying. On this particular morning, it brought Big Dishy.

A piece that carries the spirit of Nancy Adams — the joy of finding, the delight in naming, the deep love of what grows in these waters.

Fits beautifully in a kitchen, a study, or anywhere that welcomes a little warmth and character.

What you're bringing home:

• Museum-quality, fade-resistant print — every curve and lustre, preserved
• Hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars
• 1.25″ thick poly-cotton blend canvas (344 g/m²)
• Mounting brackets included — ready to hang
• A2 — 16″×24″ (40.6 × 61 cm)

Want the original? Hand-signed editions (NZ$360–NZ$900) are available exclusively at our Stewart Island gallery.

Take a little piece of the island home.
Island steady. World ready.

In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), this product is manufactured by EASTERLY LIMITED (hello@easterly.kiwi | 6 Petersons Hill Road, 9818, Stewart Island, New Zealand) and represented in the EU by SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED (Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus | gpsr@sindenventures.com). All consumer products meet EU safety standards.