Article written by Becky Sargent
Illustration by Harriet Sherlock
This piece was originally published in ‘Vestige’, Bossy’s 2023 print edition.
I recently took a jaunt to the northside to explore the tiniest gallery in Canberra. The Gallery of Small Things showcases artworks created on a wonderfully miniature scale by emerging and also established artists. A converted laundry from the 1960s, the gallery itself is less than six metres squared. Much like any other art gallery, the Gallery of Small Things is organised in a way that allows you to roam from piece to piece.
There are only a handful of buildings in the city that make you feel relaxed as you walk into them, and the Gallery of Small Things is one of them. If you need a break from the commotion and flurry of university life, the gallery provides a peaceful setting where you can enjoy the artwork while surrounded by flower and veggie patches.
Sandy Ji and Roshni Senapati are the clever ceramicists behind the gallery’s adaptably named ji + senapati exhibition. These artists have mastered the art of creating funky ceramics that are small enough to fit snugly in the palm of your hand. The power of this exhibition lies not only in the quality of the artwork, but also in the artists’ reconnection to their culture through the creation of each piece.
It was almost impossible not to be mesmerised by the details found in Sandy’s ceramic vases, especially her use of simple forms and clean lines. The designs of her pieces are inspired by her Korean heritage. The vases emit a lovely soft blue glow due to an unexpected chemical reaction that occurred during their production. Although the pieces seemed at home on the gallery shelves, the vases would look perfect holding your favourite plant babies while perched on your bedside table.
Roshni used the crafty technique of knotting loops of cloth around the rim and base of porcelain vessels. The contrast of pairing vibrant fabrics with monochromatic vessels is undeniably delightful. Using her mother’s saris and sewing material to make these pieces is a beautiful way for her to connect with her culture and share her story. By using repurposed materials, each of Roshni’s pieces is sustainable and truly unique.
The artist plaques described how assembling their pieces took the artists on a journey of connecting across generations. I found the pieces also invite the viewer to contemplate how their family history influences their creative expression. It is fitting that while roaming through the exhibition, my fingers were adorned by the ring collection I inherited from my great-grandmother.
I finished my visit with a lovely chat with gallery founder and director Anne Masters about the exhibition and everyday goings-on at the gallery. There are not many hours in the day for artsy escapes, which is why popping into the Gallery of Small Things and viewing an entire exhibition in ten minutes is rather ideal. If they are so inclined, university students should wander down and take a gander at the work of local and talented artists.
Leave a Reply