By Tanya Steele
The YAVA Gallery opened a new exhibition on 4 May that is filled with wonder and delight, inviting people to explore a stunning curation of mediums headed by an Upwey artist’s work.
The exhibition is headed with sculpture work by Nerissa Box and a curated selection by over 20 YAVA artists and holds the eyes captive within a mystical space.
Tecoma artist Box brings a dedicated and anatomically fantastic feel to her sculptures and presents two very different styles within her work.
“I’m obsessed with anatomy and creatures, I have always been interested in it,” she said.
The sculpture Icarus was created with a bronze powder coated and is a cold cast statue that invites the eye to wander over the fine details of the Greek mythology figures’ wings.
“I really wanted to extend myself as a sculptor and I chose to create the sculpture before Icarus takes flight,” she said.
Box’s work ranges from hyperrealistic to fantastical creatures, inspired by movies like ET, Labyrinth and the Muppets.
Box said that using found objects within these pieces has sparked a creative pathway for the creatures, which helped to give them a narrative.
Her little creatures range in size and all have an agenda, some are either happy being where they are or are on the move.
“You’ve got Sparky is trying to Oxy his way out and you’ve got Slick who’s trying to lick her way out, I had a whole bunch of all these different characters,” she said.
Box began her career through scenery but jumped to prop work because she loved anatomy so much.
“A theatre camp in the States really triggered my interest in sculpture and props,’ she said.
“I did work experience on Jim Henson’s Creature Shop on a show called Farscape.”
The theme of the exhibition has allowed for the artists to share the mystical and fantastic themes that they have within their art forms.
Box said that having the platform to present her work alongside the other YAVA artists is an asset.
“There’s not necessarily exhibitions that focus on fairytale fantasy myths,” she said.
Vanessa Flynn, YAVA Gallery Manager is excited about the group show and said the curated exhibit will work across a range of mediums that tie in with the theme.
“You’ve got your light and your dark dreams and mythological creatures,” she said.
Ms Flynn said she is glad to have a wonderful team of volunteers on board, which helps greatly when preparing for the exhibition, from installation to lighting.
“Lynn Baxter worked on the installation across the two full days with us and we couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
The exhibition will run at the YAVA gallery until 11 June.
