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 is a Chinese Indonesian visual artist in Naarm (Melbourne). She immigrated to Australia in 2008, studied design at Swinburne University in 2008, and graduated from RMIT (Master of Fine Art) in 2010. Nani's multi-disciplinary practice combines a wide range of work from painting, installation and ceramic sculpture. Her art practice explores the narratives between childhood memories, identity, migration and cultural hybridity in contemporary life to communicate feelings of innocence, anxiety, loss and sorrow. She inspired by the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of traditional Asian art, as well as the bold, expressive form of Western art. She is interested in how different cultural values and beliefs can clash or complement each other and impact our sense of self and belonging. She was a finalist in the 2023 Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic), the 2023 TRAILS Sculpture Prize and The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize in 2021.