Kingfisher on the Dancing Pumpkin

Based in Sydney, artist Yang Qiu 丘洋 explores surfaces and shapes of food, animals and quirky, fantastical creations in painting and ceramic. A prolific interdisciplinary artist Yang Qiu's is known for her unique approach to ceramic creation, transforming local produce – such as corn, eggplant, avocado, and mandarin – into functional ceramic sculptures, all while exploring the shapes and surfaces of food in her paintings.

Informed by her background as a pastry chef and her interest in art, Yang began to explore ceramics as a means of artistic expression, studying fine art at UNSW in 2017, with a focus on painting and ceramics. During this time, she became particularly intrigued by mould making, which allowed her to create objects with striking and unusual forms.

Yang's work holds a sense of whimsy and childlike wonder. She often characterises her creations with faces and legs, as though imbuing them with personalities and identities. Through her artistic process, she envisions herself crafting new friends with whom she can dance and celebrate life.