The Hellenic Museum is set to host the new exhibition “Reverse Archaeology: Metamorphosis of Aphrodite” by artist Marco Luccio. The exhibition will open on Thursday, August 15, and will run until Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Luccio’s work delves into the essence of love and beauty through a series of original pieces inspired by the iconic statue of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and desire.
The artist invites viewers to re-examine their perceptions of love and beauty and encourages them to deeply engage with themes of fragility, strength, and the transformative nature of human connection.
The exhibition begins with a single charcoal sketch, created live at the museum, which is then turned into a large copper plate using the Drypoint technique.
This initial artwork undergoes various transformations, with techniques such as Mixed Media and hand carvings giving each piece a unique character. The different methods evolve and redefine Aphrodite, reflecting the complexity of human emotions.
The narrative of the exhibition intertwines creation and destruction, with each layer of the copper plate revealing traces of its predecessors, similar to the pentimento technique in Renaissance painting. Aphrodite emerges from Luccio’s exploration, sometimes vivid with reds evoking passion, love, and lust, and other times with melancholic blues, invoking sadness and haunting beauty.
“Reverse Archaeology” marks Luccio’s first solo exhibition in a museum setting, showcasing his mastery in printmaking and his personal reflections on the profound impact of love.
Accompanying the exhibition are interactive public programs designed for all ages, allowing visitors to contribute to the artwork by adding their own “imprints.”
Marco Luccio is an internationally acclaimed artist known for exploring global themes through innovative printmaking techniques. His works have been featured in over 50 solo exhibitions and 208 group, curated, and award exhibitions worldwide, reflecting a deep engagement with the transformative power of art. Luccio’s work is represented in 42 public and corporate collections, including the New York Public Library, Museum of the City of New York, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, and the State Library of Victoria.
When: Friday, August 16 to Sunday, October 27, 2024
Where: William Street, Melbourne
