For contemporary artist and tutor Mary Raphael, every brushstroke tells a story — of landscapes travelled, cultures encountered, and an enduring love of nature. Her latest exhibition, Unity in Diversity, currently showing at the Convent Gallery in Daylesford, Victoria, captures much of this spirit

Born in Ioannina, in north-western Greece, and migrating to Australia as a child, Mary Raphael’s life and art have been shaped by journeys both personal and geographic.

Set in the historic former monastery, her new exhibition brings together vibrant acrylic works — bold in colour, rich in texture, and deeply inspired by the Australian landscape.

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Mary Raphael: Painting the colours of place, memory and belonging

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Her paintings often echo the palette of the Australian outback — the deep reds of the earth, the turquoise seas, the brilliant colours of native flowers and sunsets.

But more than colour, there is a sense of connection to place, and to story.

Mary hopes her current exhibition will inspire those who visit to see the Australian landscape — and perhaps their own journey through it — with fresh eyes.

Listen here the story in Greek