At just 28, Evangeleah Plakias is presenting her work to the public for the first time – and doing so through a deeply personal exploration of Greek history, memory and identity.
Born and raised in Australia to parents with roots in Epirus and Thessaly, Plakias has long used art as a way to unwind, reflect and connect with her heritage. That lifelong creative instinct now comes to fruition in Echoes of Hellenes, her debut exhibition.
Presented as part of The Greek Herald’s International Women’s Day 2026 event on Sunday, March 8 at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney, Echoes of Hellenes is a curated collection that reimagines Greek history and tradition through a contemporary lens.
Drawing on careful research and emotional storytelling, Plakias brings to life pivotal moments from Greece’s past – from Ottoman occupation and the War of Independence to stories of resilience, sacrifice and survival.
At the heart of the exhibition is a handmade traditional dress from Ioannina, a centrepiece that took 14 months to complete. Created using the tools of her late grandfather, a tailor who migrated from Greece in the 1960s, the garment symbolises lineage, craftsmanship and continuity. Though previously worn only for memorial services, it will be publicly displayed for the first time as part of the exhibition.
More than a visual showcase, Echoes of Hellenes invites visitors to engage emotionally and culturally -to feel the stories behind the images and reconnect with ancestral memory. For Plakias, it is both a personal milestone and a contribution to keeping Greek history alive for new generations.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am of descendance from Epirus and Thessaly, Greece, born and raised here in Australia. From a young age, I have always enjoyed creating imagery of all sorts. Trying new and different resources, or new techniques, art has always been a hobby of mine. It’s a way for me to relax and de-stress. Being able to disconnect and create something I’m passionate about.
This exhibition marks your first major showing. How does it feel to be presenting Echoes of Hellenes to the public for the first time?
It’s so exciting to be able to show case this collection of works. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to display not only my images but also the biggest work I have created, my traditional dress from Ioannina. The dress has never been formally out on display before and has only been worn a couple times for memorial services. I’m very excited and can’t wait for this collection to be showcased to the public.
Your work is strongly informed by your Hellenic heritage. How has your Greek background influenced not only what you create, but why you create it?
I have a few passions, one of which is being able to be creative, and the other is learning about our history. I have always been interested and expanding my knowledge of the past. For me, I wanted to create images around the Greek Revolution, bringing the stories to life. There are so much to uncover from Ottoman occupancy to the War of Independence to the Greek genocide of Pontos. My biggest challenge was choosing which story to showcase in this collection.
I wanted to create these images to bring life to the stories we know. Knowing what our ancestors went through, the struggle and pain, making some unthinkable choices during this time, gives me great respect for our ancestors. A sense of pride to be Greek for everything they went through for us to be here today.
One of the most striking elements of the exhibition is your handmade traditional Greek costume – a piece that took over a year to complete. What does this work represent for you, both artistically and personally?
This dress is the traditional dress from Ioannina, and it took me 14 months to complete. I started the process of sewing the dress in January 2024 and I finished it in February 2025.
My dad is from Thessaly, and my mum is from Epirus. Just outside Ioannina, Epirus, my yiayia comes from a small village of Vlounoplogia and my pappou comes from the village of Elliousa. My pappou was a tailor in Greece and moved out to Australia in the 1960s. Being able to make the traditional dress from Ioannina not only brings be closer to my roots, but closer to my pappou. Unfortunately, I was unable to sew this dress with him but using his tools and making it in his sewing room, made it feel like he was with me through the process.
The dress gives me pride. Creating it gives me a close connection to not only my roots, but also my culture. It was not an easy creation and had its challenges, but it was the most exciting and proudest piece of work I have created.
Even though my dress has not been displayed before, it has been featured in an article for The Greek Herald back in 2025.
Much of Echoes of Hellenes reimagines familiar stories, symbols and traditions from Greek history through a contemporary lens. How do you approach the balance between honouring the past and expressing your own creative voice?
I approach this balance by first finding myself in deep respect for the history and tradition of our ancestors. The Greek heritage carries an emotional weight. So I take my time to understand our history before bringing it to life. This is to make sure I do justice and honour the legacy of those who come before us.
I see myself as an artist to bring the stories to life on paper. From a place, a person or an event that took place, I wanted to capture it using different materials to bring those feelings I had onto paper. Capturing moments from the almost tragic to celebrating our freedom. I’m not trying to replicate history but to keep it alive and to connect the past with the present.
What can visitors expect when they step into the exhibition space – emotionally, visually and culturally?
Visitors can expect to engage in an emotional, visual and cultural level as they move through the exhibition. The collection is to bring a sense of connection, pride, and reflection for the stories being told. There is a balance of strength and weakness throughout the collection, for the viewers to feel the stories not just see them.
The exhibition is to be a bridge between the past and the present. It’s not just about observing history from the distance, but creating an experience for visitors to be able to reconnect with their roots.
Looking back on the process – the long hours, the patience and the physical effort -what has this exhibition taught you about yourself as an artist?
The process of creating these images and doing the research has taught me to be patient and trust my own vision. Even though it was a long process, it showed me how deeply committed I was to put together images that showcase our history. Even though there were times it felt overwhelming, the willingness to bring this collection to the public kept me going. Creating this collection brought me closer to knowing where we come from. To keep learning and researching new stories to create. To keep sharing what we stand for and where we come from. I’m very proud of what I have accomplished. I’m not just creating for myself but contributing to sharing our history with the public.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I’m thrilled for what’s ahead and to finally show the collection to the public. I’m especially excited to debut my dress as part of the exhibition. I want to express my gratitude for the endless support I’ve received throughout this journey, and a special thanks to The Greek Herald for giving me the opportunity to share my work. I hope those who attend will enjoy the collection and experience our ancestral history through a different lens.
Plakias’ exhibition will be on display at The Greek Herald and Greek Festival of Sydney’s International Women’s Day event ‘Restoring Balance: Hellenic Women Leading Change’. The event will be held at The Grand Roxy, Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney, on Sunday, March 8, from 3.30pm.
Event Details
- When: Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Arrival: 3:30pm | Start: 4:00pm
- Venue: The Grand Roxy, Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney
- Free event | Registrations essential here
