Camila De Gregorio
“once I let go of expectations and allowed things to unfold naturally, everything fell into place”
Camila de Gregorio
Country of origin: Chile
Occupation: Designer & Artist
State of Residency: ACT
Favourite place in Australia: Canberra
Upon arrival: Surprised by the sulphur-crested cockatoos
Camila is a designer and artist, best known as one half of Eggpicnic, a design studio devoted to wildlife conservation. She chose art and design as a means of communicating environmental challenges in Australia to fellow Australians, hoping to raise public support for endangered ecosystems and inspire others to care and take action. In 2023, their work was selected to illuminate the façade of the Australian Parliament House and for Vivid Sydney 2023, featuring their animations projected on all four pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Their work has been transformed into impressive large-scale public art installations, commissioned by the City of Sydney, the City of Melbourne, ACT Government, Sydney Olympic Park, and Bondi Beach, receiving accolades from the Sydney Opera House in 2019.
TELL US YOUR STORY
I arrived in Australia on the 27th of July 2012. My partner is from Australia, and I am from Chile. We met in Italy in 2009 and later moved to Chile for a few years. When he applied for his Permanent Visa, a crucial document went missing. Our only option to stay together was for me to move to Australia. I agreed to relocate to Sydney for a year or two, and surprisingly, it's been 11 years now.
Before meeting Chris, I had never considered Australia as a destination and had no particular interest in the country. However, little did I know how much this place would transform me and ignite my love for birds. Upon our arrival, I didn't know anyone outside of Chris' family, and finding work as a designer proved challenging. Despite consistently coming in second during job interviews, I began doing my own work while actively job hunting. I started illustrating the birds around me, and then serendipity struck: a friend from Chile contacted me to help her Chilean friend in Sydney, whose computer had broken. Chris, being tech-savvy, was asked for assistance. On a rainy winter day, the friend arrived at our door with his computer. Upon entering our apartment and seeing my bird art, he asked about my work. I replied, "I draw birds." To my surprise, he revealed, "I'm an ornithologist". Since that day, we all became great friends. They introduced us to birding, and we eventually joined a bird club. Everything snowballed from there.
Camila giving the final touches to one of her birds in Sydney
I eventually got a job as a graphic designer at a small design studio with a big heart. Additionally, I took on a role as a casual design teacher at both UTS and UNSW. I met wonderful people who became my initial tribe in Australia, helping me settle in. Simultaneously, I continued illustrating birds and delving into learning about the animals that I shared this new country with. I eagerly anticipated weekends, looking forward to getting lost in the forest or some remote location with my $5 binoculars.
These design jobs played a pivotal role in strengthening my confidence, affirming that I was making a meaningful contribution in the creative field and that my work was valued. This boost in confidence proved crucial for what lay ahead: the transition to becoming the self-employed designer and artist that I am today.
A few years later and following several exhibitions in Sydney and a residency at the Australian Design Centre, an opportunity emerged through the City of Sydney for creatives to apply for an affordable studio space in the city. We crafted our proposal, and it proved successful, securing a studio space for the next three years. In that same year, we were among the artists chosen for the City of Sydney Creative Hoardings Program, featuring our work across the city as large-scale murals. These two events marked a significant turning point for us — we finally had a creative home of our own, and our work was out in the wild in full force.
I now see that Eggpicnic really began with my perspective of seeing Australia through the eyes of someone who didn’t grow up here. Upon my arrival, I was absolutely amazed by the landscape and birdlife—things that Australians born here might easily take for granted. The entire experience was mind-blowing, and I felt compelled to show people how incredible this country is. I wanted to convey the privilege of being surrounded by these unique animals, emphasising that the interaction Australians have with their birdlife is a rare occurrence on Earth.
Projections at Parliament House in Canberra 2023
Today, I have the privilege of collaborating with esteemed institutions like the Sydney Opera House and the Australian Parliament House. We are currently collaborating closely in a joint research project with Dr. Kate Umbers, from the School of Science at Western Sydney University, to quantify the tangible impact of art on conservation efforts. Partnering with some of Australia's most incredible scientists and working together to reinforce the message of conservation is a dream come true.
CHALLENGES
Making friends - Building connections and forming friendships posed an initial challenge for me. While I'm naturally sociable, the idea of cultivating new bonds felt daunting when I arrived in my late 20s. It seemed as though everyone had already established their close-knit circles, making it challenging for newcomers like me to integrate seamlessly. Initially, I held expectations similar to the deep connections I have with my existing friends. However, once I let go of these expectations and allowed things to unfold naturally, everything fell into place. I discovered beautiful friendships in unexpected places and circumstances.
Jobs - At the beginning I faced a lot of rejection, and it seemed like many doors were closing on me. Instead of relying on traditional job application methods, where I felt opportunities were limited, I decided to take a proactive stance. I started reaching out directly to places where I wanted to work, realising I had nothing to lose. Thanks to this approach (and sending hundreds of emails), I managed to secure work that sustained me until I made the decision to start my own project.
Time zones - Never having enough time to talk to family back home because they are either going to sleep or haven’t woken up yet. This made it feel very lonely at times, especially when I had just arrived and wanted to debrief or simply needed a little piece of home.
Magazine cover featuring the duo behind Eggpicnic
CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES
Con todo sino pa qué – Roughly translated to ‘With everything otherwise it’s not worth it’ encapsulates a distinctive Chilean perspective that profoundly influences our approach to life. Renowned for our passionate nature, Chileans embody a spirit that refuses to hold back. This principle instils in us the commitment to consistently deliver our best, leaving no room for compromise. We carry this ethos into every facet of life, approaching challenges and opportunities with boundless energy and passion and it's this vibrant and wholehearted approach that defines our actions and sets the tone for the way we navigate the world around us.
Mateship - One valuable lesson I've learned in Australia is the depth of love people invest in their communities, extending beyond their own families. They generously share this sense of connection, contributing to the thriving nature of communities. The unexpected sense of camaraderie has been a delightful surprise - truly a wonderful value.
Leisure time - Although a challenging lesson to learn when one is self-employed, it's crucial to take time out and enjoy life. There is a significant contrast in work-life balance between Chile and Australia. When I moved here, I wasn't expected to work into the evening, which only left me with time to get home, have dinner, and start all over again. Since moving from Sydney to Canberra, I have embraced a life of slow mornings, ensuring there is time for an afternoon walk in the forest. I'll never take this for granted.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Embrace unconventional thinking - Life doesn't always present itself in neatly listed opportunities and we must recognise that waiting for perfect circumstances or conventional paths may hinder growth. Rather than passively expecting opportunities to come to you, actively pursue your goals. Take initiative, seek out possibilities, connect with people who inspire you and understand that personal and professional development often involves breaking free from traditional moulds.
Celebrate who you are - Embrace the full spectrum of your identity without reservation or fear when you bring yourself to the table. Take pride in your unique journey, celebrate the richness of your background, and acknowledge the wealth of knowledge you've acquired along the way. Your individuality contributes to the tapestry that makes Australia vibrant and diverse. Be proud of who you are, your roots, and the wealth of experiences that shape you.
It’s all about community - We live in a country that values and allocates ample time for activities outside of work. Many people choose to use this time to contribute to their communities, and I've personally experienced the rewards of joining a club, such as Birding NSW. Connecting with local communities through club memberships and volunteering has been incredibly rewarding and important to my personal growth. Engaging in activities for the sheer love of them not only unveils the inherent beauty in such pursuits but also introduces you to remarkably passionate and inspiring people. Consider joining a club or volunteering – it's a wonderful way to create meaningful connections.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Camila would love for their work to expand to different countries and eventually make its way to Chile. They are seeing promising interest from the scientific community in the US and Europe, and she hopes this can translate into more art reaching more people and influencing positive changes in people’s behaviour towards the planet. That’s her wish.
This post is a heartfelt tribute to Angela Fong, a beloved friend of Eggpicnic and their unwavering supporter since the beginning of their journey.
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