Bayside Gallery’s Lucky charm

A group of contemporary artists have interpreted the meaning of a lucky charm, a concept that has endured across cultures, religions and timespans for Bayside Gallery’s latest exhibition, showing 22 November to 3 February.

Lucky charm explores the intangible and irrational magic that gives objects their perceived power.  The exhibition is co-curated by Bayside Gallery Curator Joanna Bosse and ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa. Joanna said the idea for Lucky charm came out of discussions with artist Vipoo Srivilasa about the concept of the ‘kiln god’.

“The idea is that a deity (god or goddess) watches over a kiln firing and guides its success.  This concept extends to other creative mediums and explores the idea of the lucky charm throughout history.

“The theme of Lucky charm is light-hearted and whimsical, but it is also deeply personal and can provoke powerful spiritual or religious resonances,” said Bosse. 

Lucky charm brings together eight contemporary artists from differing cultural backgrounds who work across a range of media including sculpture, textiles, jewellery, paper, ceramics and leather. 

 Vipoo Srivilasa, with artist Sai Wai Foo, will create an interactive project space in the exhibition called ‘Luck Hall’. Vipoo said visitors to Lucky charm will have the opportunity to make their own ‘wish’ charm and have it displayed as part of the exhibition. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the varied interpretations in the exhibition of what constitutes a lucky charm influences visitors when creating their own ‘wish’ charm,” said Srivilasa.

Artists: Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Kate Beynon, Helen Britton, Sai-Wai Foo, Hannah Gartside, Niharika Hukku, Jumaadi. Accompanying project space by Vipoo Srivilasa and Sai-Wai Foo.

Exhibition dates: 22 November 2018 to 3 February 2019

Celebration event: Saturday 1 December, 3-5pm at Bayside Gallery, Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Carpenter & Wilson Streets, Brighton. All welcome.