Between two Islands
Duo Exhibition
Karen Davies & Alexis Avlamis
Between two Islands
July 2025
Steadings Gallery
Balmacara Estate, Scotland
My exhibited encaustic series explores the profound connections between Kefalonia and the Isle of Skye in a metaphorical realm. The core themes revolve around the shared spirit of resilience, defiance, and a deep yearning for freedom that resonates between Greece and Scotland. My art weaves together their rich cultural heritage, compelling histories, and evocative landscapes into a dreamlike tapestry.
Drawing on imagery from island life and historical museums, ancient artifacts like Greek vessels, Celtic knots, Pictish symbols and the iconic vistas of both islands, I create a dialogue transcending both time and location. National emblems and revolutionists embody the fight for autonomy, while glimpses of everyday life through thatched blackhouses, shepherd's shoes, wheelbarrows and domestic vessels ground these narratives. The profound meaning of Light in Orthodox religion adds a spiritual dimension, and the essence of the bagpipe's sound echoes along with ancient greek pottery and swords. Through this fusion of past and present, tangible elements and symbolism, I invite viewers into a contemplative space where memory, place, and the universal longing for home become vividly felt. And what is our home? Art itself. And its creators are naturalists, cultivators, labourers who strive to raise seedlings in the ground—they know their time.