Modern art in a medieval castle

FOR Nikki Perzuck, it was an invitation she had dreamed about. The Melbourne artist was invited to exhibit her work in Italy alongside 35 artists from around the world.

And the venue for the week-long exhibition was a historic medieval castle in Ferrara, a city north of Venice.

Perzuck says that people from all parts of Italy, as well as international tourists, attended the Creative Energy international exhibition from October 23-31.

“We had time to talk to the other artists – who came from other European countries, the United States, Israel and Asia – as well as visitors to the exhibition, and also immerse ourselves in the city and see the local attractions,” she says.

“I have travelled to Italy before, touring around, but this was a very different experience, which was based around the exhibition.”

Although Ferrara is not a major tourist destination, Perzuck says that it has a fascinating history and once rivalled Venice in importance.

“In medieval days, it had just as many magnificent palaces, a rich history and bustling cosmopolitan township. Even the Jewish community was thriving.”

The Este family ruled Ferrara from 1208 to 1598, constructing many of the monuments seen around the city today.

Under the Estes, Ferrara became a centre of the arts, with Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Titian spending time under their patronage.

Jews driven out of Spain, Portugal and Germany in the 15th and 16th ­centuries were welcomed to Ferrara by the Este family and formed a thriving community.

But the Estes lacked a male heir, so the Pope claimed Ferrara and it became part of the Papal States, beginning a three-century decline until the 1900s. During that time, Jews were forced to live in a ghetto. Today, there are only about 100 Jews in Ferrara.

Perzuck was travelling with her husband Amir and they attended a Shabbat service in the local shul – one of the oldest synagogues in Italy – ­conducted by Rabbi Luciano Caro, who travels to Ferrara on weekends to conduct Shabbat services.

“Just walking around the cobblestone streets was a wonderful experience. The synagogue was in one of those streets, but it was not a huge cathedral but like a home, filled with charm and character.”

Perzuck says the invitation to participate in the exhibition in Ferrara came out of the blue.

“The curator, Paula Trevisan, who regularly travels around the world, had seen some of my works in Melbourne and liked them,” she says.

“Paula thought my modern style of art would fit in with the other artists for the Ferrara exhibition.”

Perzuck’s art uses vibrant colours, layered imagery effects and movement that combine in a display of creative energy.

The exhibition opened with a bang, with a traditional display of flag-throwing in the castle courtyard.

“It was a moated, medieval castle in the centre of the town, constructed in 1385. It had a lot of charm with fine, authentic painted ceilings and spiral staircases. It was a great place to hold the exhibition and had an amazing atmosphere.”

Travel has been a major influence on Perzuck’s art.

Perzuck, who studied art while a secondary student at Mount Scopus Memorial College and graduated with a graphic design degree in 1992, worked as an art director for a tourism magazine in France while living for 18 months in the Marais district of Paris, which is well known as a Jewish neighbourhood.

“There were lots of galleries around the area and every second store involved art. You breathe the art and culture and it is such an inspiring area,” she says.

When Perzuck returned to Australia several years ago, she continued working with companies in the design field.

In recent years she has concentrated on her true love – painting.

DANNY GOCS

PHOTO: Artist Nikki Perzuck with one of her works.