POILIKIA

Sophie Moshakis Art Advisory is delighted to invite you to Poilikia, a celebration of emerging artistic talent. 

This exhibition draws together six emerging Melbourne artists whose work focuses intently on materiality. Through their explorations in painting, drawing, collage and textiles, they conjure the ancient Greek sense of Poilikia. The exhibiting artists include Bridgette McNab, Julian Hocking, Nikolaus Dolman, Jamie Edward, Maddison Kitching and Grace Wood.

Poilikia is an ancient Greek term used to describe the visual effect of assembled colours and material. It was used to express the idea that variety and complexity in aesthetics activates a sensory wonderment in the viewer, and this experience has a seductive power. 

Translated as ‘variegation’, the term is found in explanations of music, art, textiles, architecture, and epic poetry. It was even addressed by Plato in his famous work, The Republic, albeit it as something that could be problematic in its diversion away from ‘true’ knowledge and rational perception.

Visually rooted in the development of ancient Greek pottery techniques, this seduction was created through the fine interplay of colours, patterns and rhythmic elements that produced an animated three-dimensional patternation that caused the entrapment of the eye.

Further information on the artists here:

Julian Hocking . Maddison Kitching . Bridgette McNab . Nikolaus Dolman . Jamie Edward . Grace Wood