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PRESS RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kai-Oi Jay Yung: Amongst Dark Trees, A Clearing Grundy Art Gallery Queen Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PU 19th Jan 9th Mar 2013 Opening Saturday 19th Jan 2-5pm Grundy is free admission, open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Closed Sun Grundy Art Gallery has this year invited artist Kai-Oi Jay Yung to create Amongst Dark Trees, A Clearing, a multi-sensory exhibition. Through film, the drawings series Auto-Psychometric Suffering Devices (A-PS Devices), a sound responsive light installation Passings, and hand-sewn craft works Mottos In Thread, this exhibition explores uncanny narratives in suffering and loss in relation to our psychological and physiological blockages. In four video works, we encounter voices of conflict and resolution. From an excessive compulsive hoarder and trauma psychologists in A Plan For Nigel, to a satirical stand up comedian in You Dont Actually Die. David T. Hydes sharp observations are pitted against inner antagonisms in relation to humour and self identity. The meditation savant in Breathe offers a chance for contemplative guided meditation, whilst Events of the Day uses disco lighting to create a mesmerising interpretation of psychotherapy hypnosis. Yung inventively crosses technology with handcraft and interprets various belief systems- from sciences chromatic healing treatments to notions of the unseen and the bodys mystical energy chakras. The artist transforms Grundy into a stimulatory site that triggers sensory interactions with the viewer. They journey through each gallery spaces transitional environments, re-assembling perspectives on alienation and anxiety towards hope and possible inner clearing. In response to Yungs call out, the Mottos In Thread are intricate hand-sewn mottos sent in by people of all ages and locations, a collection of fragile, personal self-taught wisdoms sharing commonalities made from pieces of first wedding dresses to sharing intergenerational aphorisms. A 68 year old from St. Annes on Sea hand stitches Worse Things Happen At Sea, it embodies his recollection of how boats from the West Indies brought bananas to Preston across the mighty ocean and a beautiful grey horse called Titus who chucked its rider and ran offonly to drown as the tide rushed up under the sand. Yung offers a chance to revisit lost skills and stories whilst paying homage to similar testimonial acts produced by Holocaust victims as an outlet for the atrocities experienced. Interspersed through the galleries are intimate personal tasks- Line Action Station allows viewers to make simple line drawings of their most vivid memories to be projected onto the gallery wall. These connect to the artists own Auto-Psychometric Suffering Devices series, drawings depicting imagined contraptions for self-hypnosis and cure from mental and physical distress. Fragile, cumbersome yet comedic in their impossibility- can the floppy handless glove of A-PS Device Vi Perception Slicer permeate the episodic buffer and unblock memory? A bodily drip composed of an organ and Chinese Konghou strings in A-

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PS Device Vii String Dialysis Pointer connects the patients body to a rotating disc whilst heating bodily fluids to measure thanatophobia (fear of death) syndrome levels. In the clearing of the main gallery space, we hear 7 Circles played intermittently; a collective sound piece composed from public recordings sent to Yung of the monosyllabic sanscrit sounds- ohm, yam, ram, lam each linked to seven bodily chakras and believed to purify body and mind. The public is invited to add their own harmonies and interplay with this sound piece to create a live harmonic mantra that pervades the gallery. From a semi-concealed confession booth, the viewer intimately shares their inner thoughts and emotions, activating a microphone that transforms and amplifies their sounds. Unexpectedly, they trigger a visual display of neon-coloured light rays and patterns unexpectedly immersing fellow viewers in ambient warm light tones. This interactive sound-light installation, Passings, together with the ever-changing soundscape of 7 Circles allow sounds and visuals to resonate through the gallery and offers a space of sensory absorption and playful solace. Amongst Dark Trees, A Clearing progresses the artists ongoing investigations into examining blockages within the individual and collective psychological and physiological experience of identity developed in previous performances as Military Craft, China and installation Interval; A Narrative Psychosis. Yung says I am interested in conflict sites, ruptures in our psychogenic make-up and this show investigates how our suffering and conflict exacerbates and manifests in our daily living. In editing and making, I can dissect and reassemble meaning, introduce new characters and empower others with narratives to manipulate their own endings, realities and truths. This way I can offer alternative belief systems to exercise our fears, desires and life's complexities. During the show, I have devised a series of workshops and public events too, which means I can spend more time with the audience who experience the work. Clinical psychologists featuring in the show and panel discussions include Helen Caird. No human state is static- one isnt depressed or traumatised more accurate we deal with trauma. Laura Kemmis says Jays multisensory and interactive work awakens the viewers senses- to take notice of their experiences. Her concepts draw parallels with mindfulness, an increasingly widespread psychological practice. Kerry Vasiliou, Grundys Education Officer says, We are delighted to be working with Jay on this exciting exhibition. She has devised a powerful and intriguing exploration of our psyche asking the viewer to consider what gives you hope and involving many others far and wide in the process. Amongst Dark Trees, A Clearing is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

- ENDS- NOTES TO EDITORS: To interview Kai-Oi Jay Yung or for more information and images contact her directly on yung_jay@hotmail.com and 07961 915 011. For more exhibition details contact Kerry Vasiliou, Education Officer on kerry.vasiliou@blackpool.gov.uk and 01253 478170

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Please check artist http://jayyung.wordpress.com/ and gallery website www.grundyartgallery.com for more details. LISTINGS INFORMATION: Members of the media are invited to the opening and following events. 19th Jan- 9th March 2013 Opening 19th Jan, 2-5pm Kai-Oi Jay Yung: Amongst Dark Trees, A Clearing New commission exploring trauma, loss and hope in this multi-sensory installation featuring sound interactive light works, videos and drawings. Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PU T: 01253 478170 Grundy is free admission and open Monday to Saturday from 10am-5pm. Closed Sundays. EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS The exhibition will be accompanied by an artist-devised programme of performance and panel discussions, public workshops and engagement opportunities for the public, families and schools. Public workshops: Opening event - Sat 19th Jan, 2-5pm Meet the artist, refreshments and a full length screening of You Dont Actually Die, a film of a satirical stand up comedian. Family workshop - Sat 9th Feb, 1-3pm Families with children aged between 1-11years are invited to join the artist, Jay, to explore the exhibition and create with her in the space. Please contact Grundy to book places. Family workshop - Tues 19th Feb, 1-3pm Families with children aged 12 years and up are invited to join the artist to explore the exhibition and create with her in the space. Please contact Grundy to book places. Artist in Conversation- Sat 23rd Feb, 2-4pm The artist in conversation with psychologist Laura Kemmis. This will include some audience interaction and performative elements. Artist in Conversation-Tues 5th Mar, 6pm-8pm The artist in conversation with Grundys Kerry Vasiliou and a full length screening of You Dont Actually Die. Artist in Conversation-Wed 6th Mar, 6-8pm The artist in conversation with psychologist Helen Caird. This may include some audience interaction. SCREENINGS- You Dont Actually Die Saturday 19th January, 2-5pm Tuesday 5th March, 6-8pm

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There will be two full length screenings of You Dont Actually Die due to the illicit language and nature of the content, an edited version will run throughout the show as What Happens When the Bank Runs Out of Money. The article On Suffering, a conversation with lecturer and philosopher Anthony T. Morgan will also be available to read, see artist website. ABOUT Kai-Oi Jay Yung

Kai-Oi Jay Yung graduated from University of Dundee, BA (Hons) Fine Art, 2006 (1:1). Prior, Yung studied BA (hons) French Language and Literature at Sheffield University (2:1, 1999) working at Ketchum public relations, London, for clients from Sony, Microsoft to Warner Brothers. Selected exhibitions include: Interval; A Narrative Psychosis, Cornerhouse solo exhibition, Image Wars, Abrons Arts Centre, New York City, Tarot de Marseille, La Friche La Belle De Mai, Marseille, 1911-2011, JCCAC, Hong Kong, Sock Exchange, FACT, Far West, Arnolfini, Nightcomers, Istanbul Biennial, Kopas Experimental Arts Festival, Seoul, Art Bin, South London Gallery, Paradise Stories, funded by European Capital of Culture & RIBA and The Wormhole Saloon, Whitechapel Gallery, London. Residencies include: Happy Stacking, China with Grizedale Arts & Vitamin Creative Space, Libya Exchange with British Council, Cove Park, Scotland, Art Territories, Lithuania, and EU funded Open-Here, Munich. Curatorial projects include Everbloom Pocket City Pollination with Eyebeam, New York and San Francisco-Hong Kong research funded by Arts Council England (ACE). Live Performances include Military Craft, Guangzhou Live and The System Is Done, Lets Start Again, Jockey Club Arts Centre, Hong Kong and Getting To Know You, National Theatre, London.

Yung has devised, facilitated and led diverse workshops projects including Genus Puzzle Project, Natural History Museum, London, Zaha Hadid Architects, Manchester International Festival and Contemporary Chinese Art and Globalisation, Cornerhouse, and Treasures, Tate Liverpool and collaboration with Artur Zmijewski, Following Bauhaus, A Foundation. Yung was selected Top 50 in Guardian/Courvoisier Future 500 awards, panel discussion and talks include Mediamatic, Amsterdam, Living Between The Lines, Tate. She is a critical writer for publications such as A-N and freelance artist assessor for ACE. Art fairs include Scope, New York & Miami and collections include Asia Art Archive and Vivienne Westwood. Forthcoming includes ACE funded research to Brazil and Belize.