Whenever I visit the White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale, I’m reminded of what a privilege it is to be able to view this astonishing collection of contemporary Chinese art. The gallery is owned and funded by Judith Nielson, the exhibitions are curated by David Williams, and entry continues to be completely free.
The Dark Matters is currently on display, showcasing select pieces with a primary focus on black, white and grey tones, with only the occasional splash of colour. Williams has curated a cohesive, brilliantly presented exhibition, with artworks perfectly complemented by their surroundings.
As always, we began on the top floor.
Yang Mushi’s Grinding is a collection of over a thousand hand-hewn, black lacquered wooden blocks. The polished aluminium base makes it difficult to distinguish where each piece ends and its reflection begins…
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Contemporary Chinese art is often full of angst and pain, so it was a joy to view husband and wife Kung Wen-Yi and Ko Yu-Cheng’s Water Drops, a Buddhist-inspired work which “celebrate(s) rain as an analogy for creative imagination”…
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One of my favourite works of the exhibition was hidden away behind the elevators!
Chen Chun-Hao’s Twelve Animals – Rabbit, Monkey, Chicken are “drawings” made with headless nails, hammered in from the back. At first glance, they appear clever, but on closer inspection, they’re actually genius…
The details of the animals – hair, fur, feathers, mouths, eyes and ears – are all carefully “drawn” by the shadows cast by the nails…
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Chang Nai-Wen’s AIP-PF is a series of three marble sculptures, each enlarging and enhancing the details of the previous one, adding extra “pixels” (detail) with each step, much as a 3D digital printer would do…
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I think art succeeds when it elicits a true emotional response in the viewer. Wen-Ying Huang’s Searching II is an intriguing and haunting work, created on a computerised loom which enabled the artist to “hide” a second image woven with reflective thread, and revealed only when illuminated by flashlight. In its unlit form, it’s deceptively drap and grey.
When I shone a torch over the fabric, I felt shaken and teary – the glowing scene of armed soldiers and someone cowering in fear made me feel as if I’d exposed them with my light. Powerful stuff indeed, at least for me.
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This is just a tiny snippet of The Dark Matters exhibition at the White Rabbit Gallery. Because of the focus on black, it’s difficult to capture many of the pieces in photos, so it’s definitely worth a visit in person!
White Rabbit Gallery
30 Balfour Street
Chippendale NSW 2008
Open 10am to 5pm, Wed-Sun.
The Dark Matters exhibition runs until 30 July 2017
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I agree with your comment that’s art is successful when it elicits an emotional response.
Oh how fortunate we are who found your blog. Each blog arrival is a venture in learning and enjoying. Be it in the kitchen with your culinary art, or on your walks sharing your photography, then your visits to the many museums and art galleries…..not to mention your fossils /sock art and I could go on and on. I am ninety years old and try to learn something new everyday…Oh how your blog keeps me educated about things I would never be privy to see!. Thank you so very much for taking your time to share. Today’s sharing was was marvelous. Jere
PS I climbed your Sydney Bridge at 75 years old.
Beautifully written Critique 🌺
Powerful, arresting works and so very clever but I think the water drops is my favourite because it is calming and doesn’t ‘shake’ you to the core.
OMG may sound very corny but those animals are unbelievable . . . . this post will be shared with many passionately art loving friends closer to the Gallery than I . . . thank you
What a great exhibition. I’m particularly drawn to Kung Wen-Yi and Ko Yu-Cheng’s Water Drops and to Chen Chun-Hao’s Twelve Animals.
Thank you for sharing your visit to the art gallery with us, Celia. You are indeed privileged to have such a gallery to visit and all for free! How marvellous! I echo what Jere Wineman says, I too enjoy seeing all of your entries, thank you again. x
Thank yo for sharing this wonderful exhibit with us. Makes me wish I could visit it. Your photographs and ability to share thoughts, emotions, and experiences are a wonderful gift that we are fortunate to share. Please keep on posting.
This looks like a really interesting exhibition! Thanks for sharing. x
oh, the nail/shadow pictures……….
Hi Celia
I was wondering what likelihood was that I could get some of your white sourdough starter as I live in Perth WA? Happy to pay postage etc Kind regards Sheree turner
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Sheree, I’m afraid I’ve just mailed out my last packet! I’ll try to put it on the blog next time I have some to share.
I too agree that art succeeds when it elicits a true emotional response. I remember my art teacher pretty University who used to take us to all sorts of strange and wonderful exhibitions saying something similar because I particularly disliked something and we had a long old talk about the fact that it had stirred up an emotional, albeit a negative one. I never forgot it.
Thank you.
I just love the image of the monkey, it’s fantastic that the shadows are really the main image! I am usually not a fan of modern art (i.e., the rock on top of a 1950’s refrigerator) but this exhibit is inspiring; the droplets are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.