“GROWING up, I have always been curious about the cultural differences between Italy and Australia and I am incredibly proud of my Southern Italian heritage, which has been imprinted into my personality,” Tenison Woods College Year 12 graduate Victoria Circelli said.
Ms Circelli’s dedication to depicting the journey of her nonno, Angelo Circelli, through art, caught the eye of the SACE board and is set to be showcased in Adelaide at the 2018 SACE Art Show.
The exhibition showcases the most innovative and interesting work for Year 12 Art and Design.
“I have always had an interest in my nonno’s story, he and his family, desperate for work, migrated to Australia, the land of opportunities, to start their new lives in 1961 in Mount Gambier,” she said.
The artist became intrigued with photographs of her nonno on his family’s farm, where he worked after leaving school at the young age of eight.
Letters kept by her nonno, used to communicate with his family in Italy dating back to the early ’80s, also inspired her artwork.
“This collection of letters was an important aspect of nonno’s story that I wanted to include in my final practical, hence the clear acrylic cover, with the personalised Italian postal stamp and the blue and red airmail stripes,” Ms Circelli said.
Photographs from her nonno’s boat journey to Australia were also highly influential.
To incorporate both countries, Ms Circelli decided to create a panorama consisting of three panels – the first panel is her nonno with his parents in Italy.
A sparse background, inspired by the works of artist Peter Booth, helped to create the sense of isolation and scarcity, detailing the cause of her nonno’s decision to journey to the country.
“Having nonno’s parents in the painting, however, enhances the feeling of family and home,” Ms Circelli said.
The middle panel portrays Mr Circelli’s journey to Australia as he sits on a chair on the deck of the boat.
“Once again, interested in the stylised aesthetic of portraits, I created a somewhat realistic depiction of my nonno’s portrait, with a sense of illusory,” Ms Circelli said.
The final panel illustrates Mr Circelli at home in Australia.
“Inspired by the works of artist William Robinson, I created a transfigured landscape, symbolic of the absolute cultural differences between Australia and Italy, which must have been incredibly bewildering,” Ms Circelli said.
Her nonno is painted surrounded by the farm he bought and raised cattle on.
“He stands with an aura of pride as if to say I have worked hard to create and provide for my family and now it is here that I feel home,” Ms Circelli said.
Tenison Woods College Year 12 art teacher Jane van Eeten praised her former student’s hard work and ability to touch the core of her family’s history.
“I watched her working in awe,” Ms Van Eeten said.
Some challenges faced by Ms Circelli during her four week art process included trying to adequately represent the journey of all migrants.
“I overcame the challenge of relating the story of all migrants in my painting by focusing on four specific elements – being home, travelling to a new country, being in a new home and communicating with family,” Ms Circelli said.
Acrylic paint was used to design the art piece, finished with oil paint to represent further depth.
“I was very happy with my final product and art has been my favourite Year 12 subject,” Ms Circelli said.
The exhibition will open on March 19 at the Light Square Gallery in Adelaide.
