ABOUT - SPLUJ

Spluj [spluːʒ] , Breton.

Dive, immersion.(Figurative)

Sophie graduated in Fine Arts in France, with a focus on art & design. Her work reflects a sense of immersion, translating hidden realms into tactile forms and visual narratives. Passionate about the ocean, she sought hands-on experience and moved to Australia to work on the Great Barrier Reef. After earning her Divemaster certification and working as a deckhand in remote areas, she joined a research program dedicated to coral conservation and reef health surveillance.

Following several months of operations across multiple regions of Far North Queensland, Sophie became team leader for Crown-of-Thorns starfish control diving missions. Nearly three years living aboard a research vessel strengthened her sense of adventure, teamwork, and community.

She now balances her career between maritime operations and creative design, believing that combining these fields can inspire greater awareness and action for the future of our ocean.

Education:

2013–2016 – Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts - EESAB Rennes, France.

(Diplome National d'Art Plastique - École des Beaux-Arts.)

- Completes a three-year degree with a focus on design and material experimentation.

- Continues diving journey, which gradually becomes central to the artistic process.

2018 – B.O.A.T : Demain l’Océan, Directed by Nicolas Floc’h - Bretagne & South of France

- Joins a multidisciplinary semester dedicated to the ocean, involving artists, designers, scientists and seafarers

- Navigates 2 months along Brittany coast aboard Le Grand Largue, a hybrid trawler redesigned by Fine Arts students

2019 – Fine Arts & Design Master Degree - EESAB Rennes, France.

(Diplome National d'Expression Plastique - École des Beaux-Arts.)

- Expands practice toward environmental and ocean-inspired design
- Writes final essay on the connections between design and ocean exploration

- Develops CyScope, an observation kit to discover marine life along Brittany shoreline

- Moves to Australia after completing Master Degree to gain more field experience

Marine & maritime experience

2020 - Dive guide / Deckhand- Byron Bay Dive Centre (Nguthungulli Nature Reserve - Australia)

2021 - Deckhand / Pearl farm technician (remote) - Clipper Pearls (Elizabeth Bay, Nhulunbuy -Australia)

2022 to 2024 - Reef surveyor / Diver / Tender operator / Deckhand (remote) - INLOC marine (GBR - Australia)

Reef health monitoring and Crown-of-Thorns Starfish control across the Great Barrier Reef.
Research operations with Great Barrier Marine Park Authorities, James Cook University & Australian Institute of Marine Science.

_ Reef Health Surveys, coral predation control, in-water data collection, water & plankton sampling
_ Crew leadership, coordination of diving practices, skipper of Audamus, watches & lookout

2025 Deckhand / Tender operator - private vessel (South of France & Monaco border)