DECRYPT

28 June – 3 July 2022
Monday to Saturday 11am – 6pm
Sunday Finissage 12 noon – 3pm

Marina Aoki | Camila Aguais | Bridget Harnett
Robyn Jacobs | Betty Lau Chelsea-Anne Salter
Sarah Sellers | Yun-Xuan Shi |
Chea Smart | Stef Will | Marble Zhang

‘..even when we are carrying a lighted candle, we see shadows dancing on the dark walls’.
(Gaston Bachelard)

Decrypt is a contemporary art show by MA Fine Art artists from UCA Farnham in The Crypt Gallery beneath St Pancras Parish Church. Now a deconsecrated crypt, it provides an exciting space to explore and curate this body of work within the context of its historical and architectural structure. Exploring themes related to identity and presence, language, political aesthetics, cultural narratives, materiality and form, this show presents new and challenging works while being inquisitive and sensitive to the unique qualities of the space.

Used for coffin burials between 1822 and 1854 the crypt is still the final resting home for 557 people. Their presence is respected by the gallery and with this underlying sentimentality and care, the artists embody and present new and exciting work. Bringing together a diverse range of practices, Decrypt asks the viewer to ‘decode’ different perspectives. Investigating a variety of ideas and themes, visitors are invited to view seemingly disparate practices and draw their own connections and conclusions between the works. Although each artist has explored their own trajectory, all have an interest in making art that raises questions, opens dialogues, and invites contemplation.

Through sculpture, drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, film, and installation, the works share perspectives and reflections about our current world within an historical context. There will be a live performance by artist Marble Zhang during the Finissage on Sunday 3rd July at 1pm and 2pm.