The celebration of Ferragosto in Italian society is a richly layered festival. Its genesis in the early Roman Empire under Augustus, and later adopted by Catholic doctrine, continues to this day as an event of annual significance. Across the country, communities come together in parades and feasting. The interweaving of life and ceremony is integral to the vibrancy of Italian culture.

Antonia Perricone-Mrljak is the daughter of Sicilian immigrants—her work reflects an acknowledgement of her heritage and history. She is a person with a devout passion for life and art. The act of painting for this artist is a direct extension of her beautiful vibrant mind. A robustly worked history of marks is laid upon each other on the raw linen and interwoven with her directly drawn line. It is a methodology that is powerfully articulated in visual terms. The subtext of love and joy through her life and family is at the core of this intensely personal exhibition. It is all about sharing in a world that seems to forget the beautiful things that make us human.

Opening Event: Wednesday 6 July, 6 – 8pm