From holidays on Greek island beaches, to menus dominated by seafood, the sea has been a constant source of inspiration for Greek culture throughout the course of history. Perhaps less known are the vessels that transported people and goods, which are just as important as those who traversed across the seas.
Working with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the Hellenic Museum is playing host to A Journey on the Waves of History, an exhibition showcasing miniature models of Hellenic ships spanning centuries. The exhibition showcases 15 model ships, covering the period between 1500 BC to 1900 AD and representing milestones of Greek maritime evolution.
The man behind these intricate models is model maker Evangelos Grypiotis. What museum goers see on display is the product of 25 years of detailed labour and research, with each model taking up to 3 years to complete.
“My love for the sea and all the things around it came at a very early age. I was fascinated by the sea and the shipyards around Piraeus,” he said to Neos Kosmos.
Mr Grypiotis started his craft not by working on models, but life-sized vessels. He spoke of his experiences as a child watching workers building ships at the shipyard while other children were playing. It was only a matter of time before he helped the builders himself, doing odd jobs including painting the ships.
“The smells, the wood, the ropes, everything became living organisms in me. I was at least 15 when I first saw ship designs and that was another revelation for me. In the meantime, I started to read history and in particular history that was closely connected with the sea. I think that was the start for me.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Mr Grypiotis “started putting together the ships in [his] mind like puzzles” during six years of research prior to building the models, assembling images through various historical references.
The fruits of his labour were intricate models that were not only aesthetically accurate, but also able to sail in open waters.
The President of the Hellenic Foundation, Professor Georgios Babiniotis described the exhibits, which includes some rare historical artefacts, as a representation of the historical significance of the sea in Hellenic culture, as an element that has brought people and cultures together.
“These pieces display a genuine knowledge of historical significance and a passion for these ancient vessels and the culture they reveal,” he said. “Besides the visual splendour presented, visitors to the exhibition will also discover themes encompassing: shipbuilding history, ethnology, mythology, economics, and democracy.”
A Journey on the Waves of History is on now at the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne through to 26 February 2012.