Charys Wilson was the recipient of the Golden Thread Gallery Mentoring & Exhibition Award 2023 and we are delighted to present a new exhibition of her work in the Project Space. Working most recently in installation, Wilson looks to challenge our relationship and perception of the natural world. Her background in printmaking has influenced her current practice and recent MFA end of year exhibition.

Spaces Between consists of two large installations, created on opposite walls. The window side uses natural light to highlight handcrafted botanicals placed within the existing windows. The opposite wall consists of a black backdrop where a small illuminated green house is placed.

The plants within the window frames have been carefully handcrafted to accurately reflect the natural habitat and are modelled on plants growing at this time of year. The summer light creates a subtly changing texture of shifting shadows and sharp highlights. The handmade botanicals are all created using recycled and biodegradable materials. The opposite wall is a sea of black, with one little point of light.

“Every day we are presented with false realities and the line between real and unreal becomes increasingly blurred. In response to climate change and widespread precarity, my work is focused on our relationship with nature. In a society that is so disconnected from the natural world we are often presented with falsified realties. I aim to create meditative installations that encourage the viewer to reconnect with the natural world.”
— Charys Wilson 2023

As part of her award, Wilson received mentoring and professional support over the 12 months from GTG Director Peter Richards and Deputy Director Sarah McAvera, building to this solo exhibition in the Golden Thread Gallery Project Space in June 2023.

Charys Wilson is a visual artist from the north coast of Northern Ireland who completed her BA Hons Fine Art from Aberystwyth University, Wales in 2015, and her MFA at Ulster University in 2022. As well as the GTG Mentoring and Exhibition Award, Wilson was the recipient of the Alice Berger Hammerschlag Award and the CCA graduate award.

Working most recently in installation, she looks to challenge our relationship and perception of the natural world. Her background in printmaking has influenced her current practice and recent MFA end of year exhibition.

Wilson is a studio holder at the Flax emerging artist Hub, currently based in Belfast. Read more about her work here.