Despite being held online, last year’s Antipodean Palette was an outstanding success for the Greek-Australian Cultural League (GACL), and this year it will continue at Melbourne’s Duckboard Place, among other city locations.
The theme of Metamorphosis was chosen for a very different Antipodean Palette for 2021, which is dedicated to the Liberation of the Hellenes from Ottoman rule.
Work from selected artists will be displayed on posters with QR codes to access the work and artists’ statements on the GACL’s website.
Aphroditi Karalis, who is coordinating this year’s Antipodean Palette, in conjunction with Vasy Petros, says that the GACL’s positive adaptation to change is a tribute to the resilience of its President of 23 years, Cathy Alexopoulos, who encourages the arts-oriented committee to continually aspire to new ideas, and maintain the momentum in building a unique cultural and arts-focussed organisation that has relevance in today’s world.
See below for artworks from three of this years participating artists: Virginia Polendakis, Efrossini Chaniotis and Maritsa Micos.
The Greek-Australian Cultural League (GACL), is an organisation which has endured for more than 50 years, promoting, supporting and fostering the creative endeavours of Greek-Australian writers and artists whose work primarily reflect the confluence of the Greek and Australian cultures and contribute to the enrichment of Literature, the visual arts and the performing arts.
COVID-19 put a halt to many planned events last year, as members hunkered down in their homes shell-shocked with the global phenomenon. Even without events, Cathy Alexopoulos kept members informed behind the scenes, overseeing the annual publication of the bilingual periodical Antipodes, organising the annual Literary Competition and keeping the group together and motivated to look to the future.
Simultaneously, Vasy Petros established the Greek-Australian Art Register (GAAD) and Kids art classes. The first of its kind, the GAAD brings together Greek Australian artists past and present.
