Myth, Mayhem & Metropolis brings together a powerful collection of new, past and significant works from Luccio's celebrated career, including pieces exhibited around the world and now presented to Griffith audiences in an extraordinary exhibition running at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery until Sunday 16 August.
Visitors will be immersed in a visually compelling world where mythology, architecture, resilience and human experience collide. The exhibition features monumental cityscapes, warrior-like sculptural forms, large-scale drawings created on reimagined old postcards, and works from Luccio's acclaimed Aphrodite series, all rendered in his distinctive, visceral style.
A centrepiece of the exhibition is a monumental largescale ink drawing of New York, created from Luccio's vantage point atop the Chrysler Building, where he worked for more than ten years, night and day, calling that Art Deco masterpiece his studio. From rooftops, skyscrapers and the streets of Manhattan, Luccio captured the psychological and architectural intensity of what he describes as the first and ultimate metropolis.
Works from Luccio's celebrated Aphrodite series further expand these themes, presenting the Greek goddess not simply as a figure of love, but as an enduring symbol of resilience, healing and hope. Through mythological narratives and powerful visual storytelling, Luccio invites audiences to reflect on the shadows and strengths that shape both individuals and societies.
The exhibition also offers visitors a rare insight into Luccio's creative process, with displays of sketchbooks, books and more documenting the discipline behind his large-scale works. A special Griffith connection is woven throughout the exhibition through the symbolic presence of the cactus, representing endurance, adaptability and inner strength.
Widely regarded as one of Australia's leading contemporary printmakers, Marco Luccio has presented more than 50 solo exhibitions and exhibited extensively internationally, including in New York. His works are held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, New York Public Library and Museum of the City of New York.
Luccio continually pushes new themes and directions. For him, work, art and life are inseparable. His practice and his existence are one. As Luccio says "I would create the work even if no one saw it. Like most artists, I have to do it. It's a way to feel more human, more centred, more connected to the world, even if the feeling lasts only for a short time."
Myth, Mayhem & Metropolis is not merely an exhibition about cities. It is an invitation to reflect on civilisation, shadow, ambition and resilience, and to recognise the architecture each of us carries within. Visitors are encouraged to allow extra time to experience this rich and immersive exhibition.
