George Petrou’s ‘The Art of Humanity’ welcomes 200 viewers
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
This weekend saw around 200 viewers attend the private viewing of Cypriot-born Australian graphic designer George Petrou’s latest series of portraits.
The portraits depict 40 men and women who have demonstrated a commitment to others. These remarkable Australians have shown their dedication and sacrifice in the service of humanity. There is a clear focus on individuals connected to the First World War and its aftermath, with the important addition of five Australians of the Year, showing continuity in the humanitarian urge. George has created these portraits in his vivid style which many will be familiar from his previous publication, The Art of Sacrifice.
These portraits also feature in George’s latest publication, The Art of Humanity. Lavishly illustrated, the large format book is over 400 pages in length, featuring specially commissioned historical and biographical articles introducing the subject of each portrait. Striking modern photographs were taken by photographer Grace Petrou, with text editing by Christine Ballis. The book contains a foreword by His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retired).
It was my pleasure to attend the exhibition as an author contributor, my having written the article on refugee worker Major George Treloar. Many readers will be aware of the work of Melbourne’s Pontian and wider Hellenic community in honouring George Treloar with the memorial to him and his work in Greece that stands in Ballarat.
Among the other author contributors present were Dr Harry Ballis (who contributed the article on Joice Loch), Arlene Bennett (on Australian Army nurse Vivien Bullwinkle), Michael Lawriwsky (on Albert Jacka VC) and George Ballas OAM (on disaster-response nurse Helen Zahos). Neos Kosmos readers will find many interesting stories in the volume, many connected to Greece. I was particularly impressed with the contribution by Dr Ballis, who is also in the process of researching and writing a new, ground-breaking biography of Joice and Sydney Loch, the two refugee workers who assisted Asia Minor refugees re-settle in northern Greece in the years following the First World War.
The invite only event was created by George as a thank you to all contributors to and supporters of his work. Among those present were Hellenes Nick Mylonas, Tony Roussos, Maria and George Triantis and Vicki Kyritsis, all long-term supporters of George’s work. As well as being a successful painter, author and graphic designer, George is also well-known amongst the veteran community as a patron for The Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen & Women’s Association of Victoria Inc (TPI.). In June 2020 he was awarded the Order of Australian Medal for services to the visual arts and to veterans.
The event concluded with a short address by George introduced by Michael Williams, the CEO of TPI. George described how he has been moved by stories of those recounted in his works and the book, thanked all contributors and especially the support of his family, in particular his wife Zed and daughter Grace. His address was met by the acclamation of all those present.
It has also been my pleasure to assist both George and Dr Ballis in organizing the coming gifting of two of George’s portraits of humanitarian Joice Loch to two locations in Greece intimately connected with her work – the Tower Museum at Ouranopoulis and the former American Farm School near Thessaloniki. George and Dr Ballis will be accompanied by Ms Alison Duncan the Australian Ambassador to Greece soon at the gifting ceremonies to be held at both these locations. The installation of these moving works by George in these locations will be enhance these deep humanitarian connections between Greece and Australia.
The Art of Humanity book will be formally launched later in the year. Those interested in purchasing a copy of George’s latest book should contact him via email – george@gpdesign.net.au
Jim Claven OAM is a trained historian, freelance writer and published author. Foundation Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, He worked on the George Treloar Memorial in Ballarat, authored Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed and was most recently the Associate Producer of the 1941 Greek campaign documentary ANZAC The Greek Chapter. He can be contacted via email – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
