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The European Union's travelling exhbition Inside Pompeii opened at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on show until 31 May 2026.
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The exhbition by acclaimed photographer Luigi Spina captured images inside the Archaeological Park of Pompeii during COVID-19.
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EU Ambassador to Australia attending the opening, celebrating shared culture and history.
The European Union, together with Arts Queensland and HOTA, Home of the Arts have officially opened the doors to the acclaimed international exhibition Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life.
The exhibition offers unique insight into one of history’s most extraordinary archaeological sites by showcasing the evocative photography of acclaimed Italian artist Luigi Spina.
“With ties between the EU and Australia increasing, I am delighted to showcase European culture and history with our Queensland friends. The Inside Pompeii exhibition reminds us of our timeless shared humanity, and that our ways of living need preserving and protecting. As the Gold Coast is a destination which is synonymous with art, culture and lifestyle, HOTA is the perfect venue for such a cultural event,” EU Ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, said.
Created during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the exhibition is the result of an unprecedented period of access to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, which was closed to the public at the time.
Using a purpose-built camera designed to capture images exclusively in natural light, Spina took the rare opportunity to immerse himself fully in the site’s timeless architecture and spaces, resulting in more than 1,450 photographs being documented.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government is proud to support this remarkable exhibition.
“Inside Pompeii is a stunning mix of art and history that will attract new audiences to the Gold Coast,” Minister Langbroek said.
Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life reflects on the enduring influence of the past in shaping contemporary identity and culture. Through Spina’s lens, the exhibition highlights the timeless nature of human experience, offering a powerful meditation on how history continues to inform our shared ways of living.
“Inside Pompeii speaks to the enduring presence of history in our everyday lives. These photographs are both quiet and monumental, offering moments of reflection that resonate long after you leave the Gallery,” Experience Gold Coast Head of Arts and Culture, Yarmila Alfonzetti said.
Presented at HOTA, Home of the Arts, this exhibition offers Gold Coast audiences a rare opportunity to experience Pompeii through an artistic lens that is profoundly moving.
Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life
7 February – 31 May 2026
HOTA Gallery, Gallery 2, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Free daily, 10am – 4pm
For more information, visit: https://hota.com.au/whats-on/live/exhibitions/inside-pompeii-origins-of-a-european-way-of-life
Link to launch event images
Link to Exhibition Images
Copyright attribution for printed images: <name of image> Photographs by Luigi Spina with agreement with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Volume "Interno Pompeiano”, published by 5 Continents Editions (Milan, Italy).
Copyright attribution for digital images: Photograph <name of image> ©Luigi Spina
Contact details:
Victoria Kelly-Clark | EU Delegation to Australia
0429 024 887 | [email protected]
