Invisible Playground

Invisible Playground presents a collection of sculptural and functional ceramic objects that tells the poignant tale of my lost childhood sanctuary. Rooted in the island of Borneo, my early years were intertwined with the beauty of nature, as I admired the lush greenery of my childhood garden. In 1993, a fire destroyed both the house and the garden. As my father rebuilt, the garden gradually shrank, leaving behind a void. In order to cope, I turned to art, sketching and recreating my imaginary oasis. This collection of artwork represents my personal journey of growth, resilience, and exploration. It intertwines nostalgic memories of losing my cherished childhood sanctuary with reflections on the cultural changes I experienced when I moved to Australia, as well as the evolving ways in which we express ourselves.

Nani Puspasari, a visual artist based in Naarm, Australia, migrated to Australia in 2008. She holds a design degree from Swinburne University and earned her Master of Fine Arts from RMIT in 2010. Her artistic practice is a profound exploration of visual art that includes installation, sculpture, digital illustration, painting, and ceramics. Rooted in storytelling, her work explores themes of childhood memories, identity, migration, and cultural hybridity. Puspasari captures a spectrum of emotions—from innocence and anxiety to loss and sorrow—reflecting the complexities of human experience. Drawing inspiration from the colourful pop culture of Asia and the bold forms of Western design, she examines how cultural influences shape self-perception and belonging. She is a finalist for the 2024 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, North Queensland Ceramic Awards and was also recognised as a finalist in the 2023 Muswellbrook Art Prize, Hornsby Art Prize, and TRAILS Sculpture Prize.