Dr Sebastian Di Mauro’s exhibition “Personal Structures: Greenback” opened at the 59th Venice Art Biennale in April 2022. The exhibition explores his recent experience of relocation (from Australia to the United States), a move which echoed his grandparents’ earlier emigration from Sicily to Australia (1900-1920). In this new work, Sebastian appliquéd and embroidered green US-military issue blankets with representations of the culturally significant buildings used on US ‘greenback’ dollar notes.

“As an artist, the embrace and exploration of my heritage has been a powerful guiding force. My work has explored concepts of transformation, the dynamics of life, renewal and regeneration, spirituality and the nature of existence. My work expresses and explores the desire to belong, with the search for a sense of place.” Dr Sebastian Di Mauro

Hear more on the motivation behind his new works that explore the theme of migration and international mobility and uses his own migration story - in contrast to that of his immigrant grandparents - to highlight the benefits of multiculturalism and diaspora.

Video series: Personal Structures Greenback Dr Sebastian Di Mauro

The Venice Art Biennale has been running since 1895 and remains one of the world’s leading international art exhibitions.

Project start-end dates: April 2022 – December 2022

Country: Italy and USA

Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grant: $18,500