Aida Meets Setken In Adelaide
- Setken Of Melbourne
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Aida: is this opera an expression of Egyptomania?
Giuseppe Verdi's opera has been a favourite of opera goers since it was first performed in 1871.
Set in the Old Kingdom and telling the story of an Ethiopian princess held captive by the Egyptians, things get dramatic when she falls in love with a soldier who is also fancied by a member of the royal family.
The version of the opera being staged by Arena di Verona in Adelaide (originally on February 5 and 6, 2026 but now postponed) promises to be a spectacular event.
Directed by the late Franco Zeffirelli, this iteration of the production was first staged in a coliseum in Italy in 2002.
But is it classifiable as an expression of Egyptomania?
In my opinion it is. Egyptian Reception Studies (i.e. Egyptomania) is now a part of the ultra conservative discipline of Egyptology, and examines how ideas from Ancient Egypt are incorporated into contemporary culture.
I look to align the commercial aspects of my craft with larger public events like this, and my online exhibition coinciding with the opera is an example.
A physical event is no longer possible
I did initially look at staging a physical event. The arts industry in Australia is not constructed to respond to spontaneity or visions outside of a narrow set of rules designed by a select few. Couple this with the fact that gallery spaces are now competing with other venues for arts attention and we have a stalemate.
The intended forward thrust of planning a program is marred by a backwards looking focus, often times focused on the institution the artist trained at, if they are represented by a supposedly prestigious gallery, or whether they are famous. I am in neither category.
Online
Not only will my online exhibition reach a greater audience, it is also a chance to showcase paintings that have long since left my inventory, having been purchased by collectors earlier on.
I used the Kunstmatrix online gallery model for my 2023 show, Adventures In Zoomorphic Idolatry. I did not advertise this fact however as I felt it would take away from audiences physically visiting the gallery. I had primarily decided on an online version of the same show because it was upstairs with no access for the disabled. It was intended that the link was given to disabled visitors so that they could view the show too.
I have spent many funds on gallery events in the past, including hire of the space, advertising, marketing and erection costs. I can no longer afford to do this - what artist can? -and even if I could would not now.
The online option whilst not as brilliant as showing in a physical space means I can participate without being subject to exorbitant costs and lazy business practices that are out of my control. As our modern age is all about on demand, let's see how this show goes!
The graphic
I have used a collage of previous works to create a new piece designed for the Aida parallel event. Created digitally, I offer the main image as a printed poster for sale as well as 4 different t-shirts featuring elements contained in the poster.
The principal Nefertiti image is from my 2022 painting Study For Prophosea 1. That painting, featuring the queen in her speculated role of King Neferneferuaten contains the recognisable crown that the opera has also utilised in its advertising.
The three winged kau figures from Study For The King’s House are featured on the left, the only work to be featured from this year.
Four deities (Maat, Set, Heru Ur, Sekhmet) are featured by the queen’s hands from an early painting, There (2013), and the praying mantis god (Abyt) at her feet is from 2020’s Study For A God That Speaks of Evolution.
Next to this deity is an image of myself from The Sorrow’s of Setken, 2024. The background pattern from that work is also featured in the entire piece.
The winged shau at top left under my cartouche are from Study 1 of The Pier Of Destiny (2021)
Dates
The exhibition runs from December 1st 2025 and end of February 28th 2026. You can view the exhibition here from that date.
A PDF catalogue of the exhibition with an intro from Egyptologist Dr Jasmine Day is available by going to this page and scrolling to the bottom.
It is my hope that more people will see my work around the world as eyes are turned toward Adelaide for the opera. Please feel free to use the share links at the end of the article for this purpose.
T-shirts
I offer 4 types of design for t-shirts commemorating the event.
They are black, unisex, and in S, M, L, XL, 2xl and 3xl
Order your t-shirt here
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