Did you know there are Australian eucalyptus trees growing wild all over the Mediterranean?
From Palermo to Piraeus, Marseille to Marrakech, these native eucalypts are everywhere. Curiously, they are most abundant in areas with significant migration to Australia, such as Sicily and Greece. In these regions, an exchange has occurred—people for trees. This has left many Mediterranean areas depleted of people but abundant with eucalyptus trees. As Australia logged its native forests at record rates, it continued to see growth in the populations of southern European migrants.
Raphy’s new exhibition of ceramics and moving image, The Mediterranean Exchange, explores the correlation between these regions, linked through the symbol of the Eucalypt. By juxtaposing this iconic Australian tree with classic Mediterranean motifs, the exhibition reveals that the impacts of colonisation extend beyond Australia, leaving lasting effects worldwide.
Join us at the opening event for The Mediterranean Exchangeon 14 September from 2:00- 4:00 PM, click here for more details. Free to attend, all welcome.
Image: Raphy, The Mediterranean Exchange (in development) 2024.
