yūgen 幽玄 takes its title from a Japanese aesthetic concept describing a profound, elusive beauty that resists full
comprehension, instead unfolding through suggestion and atmosphere. Grounded in the ambiguity of Primavera (c. 1482) and Virgin of the Rocks (c. 1483–1486), the exhibition considers how meaning can remain intentionally unresolved, and how the original intentions of Renaissance works may be lost to time. Artists Vessels of Decay and Kiki Hall, who met in Aotearoa, New Zealand and are now based in Naarm (Melbourne) and Warrane (Sydney), bring their distinct practices in fashion and contemporary art into conversation through this first collaboration. Together, they respond through glass, fabric, and painting, embracing metaphor and symbolism as open-ended, poetic forms shaped by their shared sensibility, curiosity, and evolving dialogue.
The exhibition envisions an immersive environment that recreates the atmospheric qualities of Renaissance painting. Through the interplay of hard and soft materials—glass and fabric—the space evokes a sense of mystique: a feeling of moisture in the air, softened vision, and the slow navigation of form, colour, and shadow. Delicate and rigid materials coexist, creating tension and harmony within the space, mirroring the layered symbolism and sensory depth of the paintings that inspired it.
Kiki Hall’s contribution centres on a series of glass objects and paintings that reflect her ongoing interest in microcosmic detail within the natural world. Drawn to the dense, often unidentifiable flora within Primavera and Virgin of the Rocks, her work highlights the overlooked intricacies of plant life and their symbolic potential. These works extend her fascination with the quiet mystery embedded in nature—forms that are both familiar and unknowable—inviting close looking and contemplation.
In contrast, Vessels of Decay presents a series of textile works that evoke elongated, ethereal silhouettes suggestive of the human form, yet absent of the body itself. Influenced by the grace and otherworldliness of Renaissance figures, these works explore presence without physicality. Subtle references to Catholic iconography emerge within her practice, shaped by personal background and spatial memory, adding another layer of symbolic resonance to the work.
Together, yūgen 幽玄 celebrates the collaboration between two friends who happen to be two artists, bringing their work into a shared space, where material, symbolism, and atmosphere converge. The exhibition becomes a site of exchange, allowing for both makers to create a stronger bond through art while creating an immersive environment for viewers; inviting them to step into and experience the exploration of each other's practices.
Catalogue coming soon