As I walk into The Shop Gallery in the Sydney suburb of Glebe, I’m instantly drawn towards the row of photographs to my right featuring second to fourth-generation Greek Australians dressed proudly in traditional Greek costumes.
The photographs belong to well-known documentary photographer Effy Alexakis and are part of a survey exhibition running at the gallery from December 8 – 14.
The exhibition showcases Alexakis’ photographic work over the past 40 years, as well as two new projects Father Nektarios Soup Kitchen and Binding Threads.
Photographs range from maestro George Ellis and the host of ABC’s Gardening Australia Costa Georgiades dressed in Hellenic national costumes, to Father Nektarios working tirelessly in his soup kitchen at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newtown.
All provide a unique visual insight into the ongoing story of the Greek Australian community.
In fact, exhibition visitors Danae Argyrou and her mum Irene Kazaglis, summed it up nicely when The Greek Herald asked them what they found so endearing about Alexakis’ exhibition.
“Every photo is not just a photo. You can see that there’s a story behind them and the characters come through in each photo,” Ms Kazaglis said. “It’s pretty amazing.”
You can see the exhibition at The Shop Gallery Glebe from December 8-14, 11.00am – 6.00pm.
*All photos by The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
