Eggpicnic
Eggpicnic founders, Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso first met in Milan just over ten years ago and began a journey of love and compassion for design, illustration and animal conservation.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
Photo: Robert Walsh
As all good stories unfold, the relationship started with quirky origins. When Camila De Gregorio’s flatmates moved back to Chile, they left her with boxes and boxes of eggs. She decided to move in together with her new boyfriend, Christopher Macaluso and marked the occasion with a picnic of scrambled, poached, and boiled eggs in Parco Sempione in the heart of Milan. This ‘egg picnic’ sparked the first discussion of a creative merger and launched Eggpicnic as we know it today!
With backgrounds in product design (Chris) and illustrations (Camila), the venture was built on a shared love of animals. “When I was five I started my National Geographic and Zoo Book collection,” Camila shares. “I was in absolute awe of the world and wanted to know everything about it, and I never grew out of that feeling.”
Moving to Sydney years later, a chance encounter with a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (and an ornithologist) changed everything, and Camila began capturing these friendly birds in her illustrations. It sparked a creative interest in the Australian birdlife, that transferred into concern after realising the state of the environment.
“We eventually joined the local bird club, Birding NSW,” Camila explains. “And the more we learned about the state of the environment in Australia, the more worried we grew… we knew these were the stories we had to tell.”
As such, Eggpicnic is more than just a creative collaboration, but a venture into conservation—currently working with Dr Kate Umbers from the School of Science of the Western Sydney University to measure how art can help. Specifically, the effect of art prints and public art in rising public support for Australia’s alpine animals.
“We immersed ourselves in colour, natural materials and sustainable processes, and we understood that as designers, we had an enormous responsibility,” says Camila De Gregorio. Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
“We can read each other’s minds, he’ll walk by and catch me staring at a drawing, only to point out exactly what was bothering me… We lift each other in many ways, and I’m incredibly lucky to share this unpredictable creative ride with him.”
Christopher Macaluso in the Eggpicnic studio. Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
“We developed a very distinctive style, which was then translated into illustrations when we arrived in Sydney, as we needed the immediacy of the drawings to keep up with the stories we wanted to tell,” says Camila De Gregorio. Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
“Our first public art project with the City of Sydney changed everything for us and gave the birds a presence in the city like we would have never imagined,” says Camila De Gregorio. Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
“Our ultimate aim is to effect a change in government policy to remove the threats to Australia’s alpine biodiversity,” Camila adds. “The Australian alpine region is among the world’s most threatened ecosystems, currently in the process of being listed as a Threatened Ecosystem with the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).”
This approach continues through all their work—engaging audiences and ultimately shift mindsets and behaviours. “We work with, and listen to scientists, to develop our projects, which has allowed us to establish multidisciplinary partnerships,” they explain. “We rely on their data and knowledge to open up conversations about animals and the problems they face.”
To do this, Eggpicnic bridge the divide between community and the not-for-profit organisations through art. We are introduced to new species that fly above us, while highlighting the damage of a throwaway society and the irreversible effects of climate change. “We remind people of their role in this world, and that empowers them to make changes, however small, in the direction to heal our relationship with this land,” they hope.
The first public art project with City of Sydney was a huge turning point in reaching the masses, quickly followed by the Uncovered program at the Sydney Opera House. Another exciting project on the horizon brings the birds to a rural NSW town, Caragabal. “Eighteen iconic and vulnerable birds now stand tall as the town’s local landmark, including the future endangered Superb Parrot, starting much needed conversations,” Camila shares. “When you visit Caragabal you’ll find these amazing species, alongside some truly incredible humans working to protect them.”
Working collaboratively together, and with science, Eggpicnic are part of a new era of artists who use their talents to inspire us to open our eyes to the world around us. They bring colourful ecosystems into everyday life and create beautiful reminders for those in concrete jungles that we are not the only species worth serving.
Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic
“Our latest public art piece (pictured above) has to be the one that completely stole our hearts. It’s our first collaborative project with an entire town in Rural NSW,” says Camila De Gregorio. Photo: Courtesy of Eggpicnic