The term Hiraeth is derived from the Welsh words hir ("long") and aeth ("pain" or "longing"), often described as a presence of absence. 

 

The Hiraeth Space at Imperfecta is 1/3 live gallery, 1/3 evolving installation and 1/3 a home that never was. As an Italian immigrant that settled in the United States 20 years ago after almost 10 years in Australia, I cannot easily describe what "home' means. What are its flavour and smell? What its sound? Who's left inside? 

 

Alongisde marvellous artworks from Imperfecta artists, my Hireath is filled with memories - a past time that I long to re-inhabit, even if for only a day. You will find my grandfather's typewriter alongside childhood memories of afternoons spent in his studio, day dreaming. In a corner you may notice the chandelier that used to be in my mum's bedroom, as well as furniture from my family's home. There are abandoned umbrellas that I picked from Milan's street in my 20s, a beatup radio player that I used for my vynil records as a teenager and red brocade that has been in my family for several generations. Ask me and you will discover that each object has a story and a longing for a time that is and is not.​​​​​​

​If a piece inside Hiraeth has a number, then it is available for adoption. The rest is there for you to enjoy. Be gentle with all items and please touch only wit your eyes.