© Afroditi Voulgaraki
“Thread & Land” Exhibition Opens at UCLA SNF Hellenic Center
The UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture is pleased to announce the opening of “Thread & Land,” a photography exhibition by Greek photographer Afroditi Voulgaraki.
Born in Trikala, Thessaly, Voulgaraki is an elementary school teacher in Geraki, Laconia. Her journey into photography began in 2022 when she captured her first portrait of a shepherd in her village. Since then, she has dedicated herself to documenting the realities of rural life in Geraki, using photography as both a creative outlet and an escape from the demands of daily life as a working mother. Voulgaraki’s work explores themes of labor, solitude, community, and the complex roles of men and women in village society.
The UCLA exhibition showcases a series of thirteen striking images that capture the physical and emotional toll of rural labor. The sun-scorched faces of farmers, the lined hands of women working in fields, and the isolated figures of shepherds reflect the hardships of life in Geraki. However, Voulgaraki’s work also highlights moments of resilience, pride, and joy, offering a nuanced portrayal of the village’s social fabric. Her subjects are seen not just as laborers, but as individuals with deep connections to both the land and one another.
Voulgaraki’s work not only documents rural life in Geraki but also highlights the village’s rich heritage of traditional crafts, particularly weaving, through a collaborative effort with the Geraki Weaving Project and Gefyra. Together, these projects aim to preserve and celebrate Geraki’s cultural practices and foster pride in the region.
“Thread & Land” will be exhibited in the UCLA SNF Center’s gallery in 2117 Rolfe Hall through December 13, 2024. The space is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00- 4:00PM or by appointment. For questions or to make an appointment, please contact the Center at hellenic@humnet.ucla.edu or 310-825-5323.
For more information about the photographs and exhibit, refer to the exhibit brochure: