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UOW postgraduate student and artist, Annette Tzavaras |
UOW artist holds exhibition in Dubai
An art exhibition aiming to bridge cultural differences and explore the ‘cultural fault lines’ within contemporary society was recently on display in Dubai.
The exhibition was titled “Transforming Perceptions Via…” and displayed paintings by UOW postgraduate student, Annette Tzavaras, in the Empty Quarter Gallery in Knowledge Village.
Annette, who is completing a Master of Arts (Research) in Visual Arts, said it was also motivated by her interest in Islamic culture in Australian contemporary art and society.
“The Dubai environment was ideal to explore shared spaces and places where people, thoughts, cultures and artworks encounter differences – broadening the contextual framework of the exhibition,” she said.
“I think the exhibition succeeded in strengthening global unity between different communities and cultures as well as to create associations that facilitated artistic exchanges.”
The exhibition was made possible with the support of Vice-Principal (Overseas Operations), Mr Jim Langridge.
Chief Executive Officer of UOWD, Professor Nick van der Walt, said that the exhibition was instrumental in enhancing the relationship between the UOWD campus and the Faculty of Creative Arts in Wollongong.
The majority of the paintings displayed were abstract in style, with elements from Greece and Turkey.
“My work has notions of abstract expressionism, aspects of modernism and post modernism fused with Islamic geometric patterns,” said Annette, whose husband is from Greece.
“So it’s that cross cultural situation again where people will bring to my work their own interpretation - but a lot of people, particularly from the Middle East, tend to recognise that there is a little bit of influence straight away.”
Annette has been raising funds since 2001 for Afghanistan widows and children. She said that working with different artists from diverse cultural backgrounds is a theme that constantly motivates and inspires her.