For centuries, the art of story telling, of myth making and breaking has been part of visual and oral histories all over the world. However, such practices seem to be fading from relevancy in a contemporary society keen to subscribe to instantaneous knowledge absorption and dissemination through various modes of media. Stories are not told with the same reverence, mystery and poetry as before. Instead the dramatic language and physical act of writing are amplified to mere sensation and gossip, soon to be forgotten for the next episode of interest. Visual Art too, has its own place within the tales of time, of people and place. Through didactic or surreal and ambiguous images artists present a sequencing of the inner and outer worlds that narrate, critique, warn and celebrate humanity.

The importance of stories both personal and public, carefully woven with the threads of fiction, fact and all that falls in between is what Tang Da Wu promotes in The First Arts Council with contributions by Pan Jia Ding, Zai Kuning and Jeremy Hiah. Featuring drawing, painting, a disoriented perspex house, and costumes the exhibition is a mysterious but alluring constellation of thoughts, objects and images. Hinting at both reality and mythology Da Wu shares the story of a female figure making clothing for children. Her role as nurturer, guardian and protector is a fragile one. The blessings and guardianship of future generations, that her presence alludes to, has the potential for multiple meaning. But more questions than revelation disturb the surfaces of Da Wu’s works. Is there an element of reality haunting the works on display? What does the title allude too? A specific moment in history unraveled to become tragedy and allegory or a personal fiction unburdened by time and reality?

Audiences feel the pricking of recognition taking place based upon on a system of knowledge and characters bespoke to the artist but with universal resonance. Purposefully enigmatic, Da Wu’s visual lyricism and criticality float beneath and below his poetic lingerings. Encouraged to make their own conclusions audiences are left in a state of marvel and wonder.

Importantly, all will be revealed on opening night.