Wood + Yu: Nature’s Wonderland opens in Watson

Posted on 14 May, 2019

The Gallery of Small Things (GOST) in Watson is about to unveil its second annual Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS) exhibition.

This year, the exhibition ‘Nature’s Wonderland’ will feature two local artists; Boya Yu, a gold-and-silversmith, and Thomas Wood, a painter and gardener.

Canberra’s teeniest gallery will come alive with the event, transforming into a flora and fauna oasis with a combination of works inspired by nature, and Western and Chinese cultures.

Anne Masters, the gallery’s founder and operator, says it was important to showcase two artists that complimented each other in this sense.

“I did initially go with a fixed idea of having two art forms,” she says, mentioning that one had to be gold and silversmithing. But Anne wasn’t sure what the other was going to be.

“In the end, my husband and I went to all the ANU Art & Design workshops and seeing Thomas Woods’ work was that perfect moment. We then knew who to pair him with; graduate Boya Yu.”

Gold and silversmith Boya Yu, born in China and now living in Canberra, focuses on making intricate jewellery. She considers jewellery as a means to express her own story and Anne describes the way cultural connections are more openly used in Boya’s jewellery.

“Acknowledging her use of Chinese cultural symbols associated with her background, she melds traditional motifs with western aesthetics, creating objects that sit between both.”

Credit: Boya Yu. Number 10. Image courtesy of the artist.

Specialising in enamelling, Boya draws her main inspiration from Jillin Rime Island in China, which is considered one of the country’s four natural wonders. She has created her own patterns and structures for her work based on Jillin’s pine tree.

Artist and gardener Thomas Woods, who is based in Bungendore, draws inspiration for his paintings from gardens, plants and Australia’s native flora and fauna.

“The infinite colour, pattern, shape and texture in the plant world informs my practice. I am fascinated with the often unpredictable natural processes of growth and movement,” he says.

Thomas has a background as a horticulturalist, nurseryman, and arranger of flowers which has definitely added an educated and personalised beauty to his small paintings that pop with vivacious colours and showcase the meticulous textures of the Australian bush.

“I use layering techniques of acrylic and a bright palette to give my work an energetic feel,” he explains.

Anne Masters explains how she settled on including the two artists’ work in the gallery after featuring only one in the EASS last year.

“The gallery space looms larger when on your own. I was keen not to overwhelm one artist.” On the development of the event, she says that she has been inspired to offer two artists a chance to “share a small space”.

“I’m also going to do something quite different with the space so visitors need to revisit for a new experience!” she insists.

Both Boya and Thomas received the Gallery of Small Things Emerging Artist Support Scheme award through the ANU School of Art + Design. Through the gifting of this award, a platform is created which gives local art graduates the opportunity to have an exhibition in a gallery, produce new works and get inducted into the often hard-to-break-into industry.

Credit: Thomas Wood, Pink Burst. Photographer: Sam Cooper. Image supplied.

GOST’s vision is to support and showcase emerging artists as well as provide them with a mentor service.

“Artists need to build their confidence in making new work specific to a space,” explains Anne. “It’s not university anymore. It’s the public’s space.”

GOST also offers artists the chance to foster an awareness of the business side of the industry and have a strong support network within the Canberra Arts community.

“I want to spark their emerging career!” she says. “I believe Canberra offers wonderful opportunities for artists to survive and thrive. Our international reputation is putting us on the map where we belong!”

the essentials 

What: Wood + Yu: Annual EASS Show
Where: Gallery of Small Things, 27 Wade Street, Watson
When: 17 May – 2 June. Open Monday – Sunday from 11 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free
Website: galleryofsmallthings.com/exhibition