The Delightful Unnamed with animator
If you’re in London from now until November 4th and craving a creative boost, why not pop into the Pocko Gallery at 51A King Henry’s Walk to experience Qian-Hui Yu’s solo show, The Delightful Unnamed? This Chinese animator, now based in Stoke-on-Trent, has curated a collection of works that weaves together the various threads of her creative process, ideas, and sources of inspiration.
At the heart of the exhibition is her recent animation, The Statue in the Garden, a short film produced with Animate Projects and supported by the BFI Network and Film Hub Midlands. It’s been traveling to film festivals across the UK and beyond, and it’s the ideal introduction to Qian’s hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation style—an approach that’s uniquely hers and perfectly suits the intimate, personal tone of her storytelling.
“The story is rooted in my own experience after I moved to Stoke-on-Trent,” Qian explains. “I didn’t know anyone at the time, so I wrote this tale, where the main character embarks on a journey through time. Delving into the historical settings for the film helped me understand the city’s past, and watching the character overcome her own fears also helped me find a sense of belonging in my new home, in a roundabout way.”
Attendees having a great time at the private view screening.
The unique story of the Potteries region is brought to life through a small dog statue. While developing the film’s narrative and visual style, Qian actually sculpted this dog, which was inspired by a piece in the British Museum—a gift to the UK from one of China’s Han emperors.
“I recreated this dog in my home studio and had it fired in an Anagama wood-fired kiln in Oxford,” Qian says. “I find ceramics fills a creative gap that animation can’t. Both are handcrafted, but ceramics are something I can hold in real life. They teach me that art can be practical, experimental, organic, quiet, and yet full of expression.”
This connection to pottery is further explored through a series of mixed-media pieces created during Qian’s residency at ACAVA Spode, the historic pottery factory in Stoke. These include collages and ink paintings. “I was experimenting with new materials and wanted to focus more on graphic design before translating it into animation. They’re all very experimental, and I hope they’ll help reshape my overall visual language,” she shares.
Across the posters, prints, illustrations, and collages, you’ll notice a recurring character. Qian has a deep love for drawing cats, and most of her feline creations are based on her own pet, Chuko. “She’s the queen of my household,” Qian says. “When I want to test a new technique or just draw for practice, I open my photo album, and Chuko is always the first subject I turn to. She’s my go-to model and my dearest friend.”
The Statue in the Garden, along with all the artworks inspired by Qian’s time in Stoke-on-Trent, has been a wellspring of creativity for her over the past year or so. Keep an eye out for her upcoming bag collection, a book cover illustration, and some soon-to-be-announced artist collaborations. Additionally, The Statue in the Garden is set to screen at the London International Animation Festival 2025, running from November 25 to December 7 at various London venues and online.
