Local artist George Camille holds first solo exhibition in Rome |17 June 2023

George Camille, owner of Art Café Kaz Zannanna, is holding his first solo exhibition in Rome, Italy.

Dubbed ‘Seychelles My Soul’, the exhibition will run until June 30, 2023.

The exhibition features over 40 artworks, curated by Gina Ingrassia. It is being exhibited in the heart of the Italian capital at the Pizza di Pietra Fine Art Gallery in Palazzo Ferrini-Cini. The inauguration of this evocative journey took place on June 8.

The exhibition is an ode to the beauty of a paradise land to be discovered, respected and protected: the Seychelles.

The exhibition is being promoted by Tourism Seychelles in Italy and George Camille Art Studio, and has been realised with the general coordination of Pandion Edizioni and Ms Inmagina with the participation of Comediarting.

The exhibition catalogue has been designed by Alessandro Troisi and published by Pandion Edizioni.

Etihad Airways and Four Seasons Hotel along with Natura e Cultura tour operator and Seychelles National Art Culture Fund are partners in this endeavour.

Mr Camille’s 40 art pieces on display evokes a sense of enchantment, wonder and inspiration which are the core pillars that make Seychelles a tourist island famed for its extraordinary beauty, unique biodiversity and ecosystems.

Mr Camille explores the friction in Seychelles between the destruction of the land caused by the expanding tourism industry and the need to preserve a unique environmental heritage.

At the launch of the exhibition, Danielle Gianvito noted that “It is an honour and a great pleasure to be part of such an important project. This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to showcase the Seychelles islands in an unusual way”.

Mr Camille expressed his joy that he continues to trail blaze the art industry in Seychelles. “I feel privileged and it is almost surreal for my art to be exhibited in that space and to have the number of people come over to see it, not only for the opening night.”

He explained that the feedback he had personally received from the spectators was very positive and people really liked the work.

“The curator and gallery owner told me that they have never seen work like mine, it is very different to what they normally show,” he stated.

He mentioned the fact that it is a lot more exotic in terms of Art from Seychelles, the subject matter and the colour along with the concept of the work.

He was even personally requested to be present at the gallery itself as a lot of spectators wanted to see the artist behind the paintings.

“A lot of people have connected to the work as well.”

He stated that it was nice to have people who would purchase the work to have it as part of their collection because they appreciate it and cherish it. “That for me is better than someone buying a piece of my art in Seychelles to keep it as a souvenir.”

Mr Camille discussed the fact that he has reached the pinnacle of what he can reach in Seychelles. “For me the next step is to take my work outside Seychelles. I know my work in terms of the standard and quality and it can sit in any gallery and this exhibition has confirmed that for me.”

Moreover, he exclaimed that as an artist, he is trying to break the glass ceiling in Seychelles and be a role model to show that it is possible for your work to go global.

In addition, he acknowleged the fact that an exhibition in Rome does come with its own unique challenges such as finance. “It is very expensive to hold an exhibition in Rome.”

He commented on the fact that the exhibition itself looks great, along with the location. “It is minutes away from the Trevi Fountain so it is a very central location and the place has got a lot of history.”

The publicity for his own has been overwhelmingly positive as well as ten of the biggest sites dedicated to art on the internet have talked about Mr Camille’s art.

The accompanying photos show some of Mr Camille’s work on display in Rome.

Sunny Esparon