A Masterful Exploration of Time and Reflection: The Pickled Showcase

There are moments in life that demand we stop, breathe, and take stock of where we stand in the vast, unrelenting flow of time.

The Pickled Showcase, presented by the Thin Red Lion and curated with extraordinary vision by Nastia Svarevska alongside Sid Smith, was one such moment. Held at the APT Gallery from 27th February to 2nd March 2025, this exhibition was not merely a collection of artworks—it was a profound, almost sacred encounter with the essence of time itself. It was a space where the past whispered, the present trembled, and the future shimmered with possibility.

Inspired by the leap year—a rare and almost magical anomaly that punctuates our lives once every four years—the showcase became a vessel for introspection. It was as if the curators had gathered fragments of time, suspended them in glass, and invited us to peer inside.

What did we see? Ourselves, reflected back in all our complexity.

The exhibition asked questions that lingered long after the final piece was viewed: How do we measure the weight of a year? What do we hold onto, and what do we let slip away? These were not abstract musings but deeply personal inquiries, stirring emotions that many of us had buried beneath the busyness of daily life.

Nastia Svarevska’s curatorial genius was evident in every corner of the gallery. She wove together a tapestry of voices, each distinct yet harmonizing with the others, creating a narrative that was as cohesive as it was expansive.

Sid Smith’s contribution added a layer of poetic grace, his touch evident in the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and meaning.

Together, they crafted an experience that was both cerebral and visceral, where every artwork felt like a chapter in a larger story—a story about time, memory, and the fragile beauty of human existence.

The daily workshops were a stroke of brilliance, transforming the exhibition from a passive encounter into an active dialogue.

These sessions were not just about creating art; they were about creating connections. Participants left with more than just a piece of work—they left with a renewed sense of wonder, a reminder that art is not confined to canvases or sculptures but lives in the spaces between us, in the conversations we share and the emotions we dare to express.

The APT Gallery, with its light-filled spaces, provided the perfect sanctuary for this exploration. The artworks seemed to breathe within its walls, their voices rising and falling like the tides of time itself.

A sample of the displayed works

The art exhibition showcased an impressive array of works that captivated attendees with their intricate designs and vivid colors. Each piece told a unique story, inviting onlookers to delve into the emotions and experiences of the artists.