Menagerie by Rachelle Cu is a tender exploration of memory, craftsmanship, and the enduring charm of childhood imagination. Through a series of hyperrealist oil paintings, Cu captures the intricate textures and vibrant hues of crocheted animals, transforming them into vessels of nostalgia and storytelling.

In her artworks, the tactile softness of yarn is rendered with precision, each stitch immortalized, blurring the line between reality and representation. As symbols of comfort, play, and innocence, these handcrafted creatures stand as relics of the past and testaments to the human impulse to create, nurture, and dream. Each piece evokes the intimacy of childhood wonder, where the world was alive with boundless possibility, and even the smallest companions became guardians of one’s wildest adventures.

The meticulous process of crocheting, with its interwoven loops of thread, mirrors the layering of paint upon canvas, each an act of patience, dedication, and love. Cu’s masterful technique does not merely imitate but elevates, transforming familiar forms into luminous compositions that resonate with both tenderness and sophistication. Within this menagerie of color and form, the viewer is invited to reconnect with the quiet joys of youth, the tactile warmth of handmade creations, and the enduring magic of seeing the world with wonder-filled eyes.

Write-up by Deseree Mapandi