As a child, I was drawn to the fantastical. I always saw more in the world – a manhole cover was a portal to another dimension, the dust in the air illuminated by sunlight was fairy dust. My world was enriched by my imagination, and regardless of the day I had, I could always retreat to my fantasy world of magic and mystery.

I’ve noticed as I’ve grown older that spark has begun to fade. Life becomes occupied with tasks, deadlines and responsibilities. Which is exactly why we need to reconnect to the child-like parts of ourselves. As curator, I set the theme for GEYAE as ‘Fantasy Worlds’. As our communities continue to recover from the impacts of Covid-19, imagination and play are the ways in which we can individually, and collectively become reinvigorated and enchanted by life itself.

The GEYAE Exhibition is a space which encourages play and expression. The work our artists have created is inspired by how they relate to the notion of ‘Fantasy Worlds’. I encourage you to explore your own feelings and memories of magic as you move through the exhibition.