The past pulses through every brushstroke of Antiqueanism – a luminous new exhibition by Egyptian artist Rasha Wanase-RW, where ancient symbolism and modern aesthetics collide in gold-drenched harmony.
Unfolding like a scroll of timeless narrative, the exhibition showcases watercolour paintings and low-relief canvas works that shimmer with sculptural texture and abstract energy.
Gold, ever-present, gleams not just as decoration but as declaration–a symbol of value, eternity and artistic legacy.
“It’s all about keeping this history alive, the protection of this kind of art,” Rasha said.
“When I started to carve the symbols, the artwork, I was trying to protect it for the upcoming generations.”
Rasha is the founder of Antiqueanism, an emerging art movement that merges contemporary materials with ancient Egyptian iconography.
“Even the name of the big artwork Canobia comes from the canopic jar … that is why I call it Canobia, it’s protecting the art.”
Rasha’s Egyptology background enriches every motif, drawing a line from Paleolithic cave art to the present.
“Back to my education, studying Egyptology, I found out that the symbols from 35,000 years ago are the same symbols expressing the feeling of fire, the air, the sun… So because of my studies and connection to the art that I’m fond of, the ancient time actually represents the present time too.”
Gold leaf and mixed materials are sculpted to shimmer and speak, evoking ancient temple walls with a contemporary lightness.
“It’s like a bridge between the past and the present,” Rasha said.
“Without the artist, we wouldn’t know the history.”
Antiqueanism invites audiences not just to see but to remember.
“I want people to be connected to the past and never forget this ancient civilisation…it’s all connected together in one cycle.”
“That’s one of the responsibilities of the artist, not just whether people like the art or not.”
The exhibition runs untilSunday September 21 at the Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery, Hume Global Learning Centre in Craigieburn. Entry is free.
