The games we play have the capacity to connect us deeply to family and cultural heritage. For me Backgammon known as TAVLI (backgammon) in Greece, is synonymous with my childhood in Australia through watching my dad play at home and with other men in Greek cafes. It brings with it language, gestures and sounds of rolling dice and loud slamming amongst the humming of murmurs and conversation.

My 20s were largely spent in Athens where tavli became the game taught to me by my peers and played endlessly in cafes with male and female friends. It was modern, current, nostalgic and gave me a personal claim to the game.

This painting explores the magical space games like these create. The dynamics of competition, conversation and relationships forged around the board form a bubble that transports players to a nostalgic or distant past, almost mythical timeless dimension expressed by a boat made for two.

PLEASE NOTE: This artwork has some delicate gold paint detailing near and around the heads of the figures and comes ready to hang in a modern pine box frame