Fly Away

Photo from my Project “Αρπαγή/Un Earth”

“In recent years, the phenomenon of uprooting centuries-old and over-century-old olive trees with the aim of later selling them for decorative use has been widespread. Maria Drakaki watches and photographs all the stages of this process. Beginning with the depiction of the violent removal of olive trees from the land in which they have been rooted for hundreds of years, she focuses on their depreciation through their transformation into a packaged commodity, and concludes by revealing the traumatic sense of loss evoked by the sight of toppled dry boulders and huge pits of the cut roots. “Un- Earth” is the result of this work, a photographic journey that attempts to inform about the attack that is made on the collective experience through this particular transaction as well as to contribute to the rescue of the centuries-old olive trees by highlighting them as an integral part of natural and cultural heritage, folk history and the Mediterranean ecosystem.”

* Unique photography prints inspired by the beautiful island of Paros! I work with analog film photography and experiment with cameraless techniques such as cyanotype, photograms, and polaroids. I believe that creativity knows no bounds, so I constantly seek inspiration from a variety of sources.