Whispers from the Grove: An Immersive Journey into Stillness, Connection, and Creativity
On Friday, September 12, Romulus Folio Gallery celebrated opening Whispers from the Grove, an exhibition that transforms the gallery space into a sanctuary of reflection, sensory discovery, and quiet connection. Here, art becomes a living conversation, between materials, between artists, and between the viewer and the world around them.
As you step through the gallery, you encounter the heavily textured and expressive palette knife paintings of Angelina Mirabito, where light and shadow move across thick, sculptural surfaces, evoking the subtle rhythms of nature and the emotional landscapes of human experience. These works are a meditation in themselves, inviting viewers to pause and attune to the delicate balance between form, colour, and feeling.
Alongside them, Maria Simonelli’s organic sculptures emerge as tactile echoes of the natural world, drawing attention to the intricate patterns and energies that shape life itself. Her works invite contemplation, offering moments of quiet awe as viewers consider the connections between matter, memory, and movement. Upon deeper reflection we are invited to see that these materials these pieces are created from have been made new and given new life.
Complementing both, Scott Ross’s meditative video installations weave light, time, and shadow into a reflective space where presence and perception become intertwined. The gallery becomes a grove itself, a living, breathing environment that encourages stillness and introspection.
Right to left: Angelina Mirabito, Cr Alex Makin, Nina Taylor, MP
Opening night was a celebration not only of the artists’ achievements but also of the communities they engage and inspire. We were honoured to welcome Nina Taylor MP, Cr Alex Makin, and Kate Spencer from FBIdeas, whose support underscores the role of art in cultivating dialogue, creativity, and connection. The evening was enriched by the presence of our wider gallery community, whose engagement reinforces Romulus Folio’s commitment to accessible, transformative art experiences.
Whispers from the Grove is is a journey where each work invites the viewer into a quiet dialogue with nature, emotion, and the unseen energies that surround us. It demonstrates how contemporary art can be at once deeply personal, socially resonant, and formally innovative. B
We warmly invite you to step into the grove. Pause, observe, and allow yourself to be guided by the interplay of form, light, and feeling. Experience the stories whispered through paint, sculpture, and video, and discover how art can create space for reflection, connection, and wonder.
Grandma Willow, Mixed Media, 120cm x 90cm x 4cm, 2025, Angelina Mirabito
Exhibition Details:
Whispers from the Grove
55 Gladstone Street, South Melbourne
Open Wed–Fri 12–7pm | Sat & Sun 12–5pm
On display until October 5th
Free entry