Contemporary Art Project Donated to the Gennadius Library
In June 2016, visual artist Judith Allen-Efstathiou donated to the Gennadius Library the Mapping the Walk archive, which consists of 36 original graphite and gouache drawings. Each of the drawings -on mulberry paper drawn from 2011 to 2016- is a composite image based on observations and drawings by the artist in field sketchbooks of flora growing along a single ancient footpath on the Cycladic Island of Kea. The footpath once stretched to the north tip of the island, however, in recent years paved roadways have destroyed all but the small section leading from Ioulis, passing the ancient Lion of Kea, and ending at the paved road just beyond the Benjamin Spring. The composite drawings represent walks taken each month along the remaining footpath, as a way to honor and document the path itself via its plants; at once the most consistent feature of the path but at the same time the most ephemeral and changing. This contemporary art project aligns itself well with the interests of the Gennadius Library by touching on themes present in its collection, i.e. natural history, geography, art, and travel. The drawings are housed at the Gennadius Library and are available for study to the academic and larger community. Part of these drawings are currently on display in the Reading Room of the Gennadius Library.