My portfolio displays a sense of abstract and elemental movement, reminding one of earth, sea, sky, and the infinite feeling of outer space. I like to re-envision my work and most of the time, I deconstruct and reposition elements of previous pieces to re-invent them and allow them to evolve. In this way, my art is a continuous route to new discoveries by using evolving objects.
As a painter and printmaker, I start my pieces by collecting my thoughts and inspirations. I experiment on canvas by assembling etched-papers and collagraphs as collages. During this process, a dialogue develops between two different methods (acrylic / oil painting and print-making) which will eventually show complex multi-level artwork as an artist’s single brush stroke. My wood panel canvases and installations are usually large and layered. Pieces can be viewed as exploding or imploding, erupting or collapsing.
I feel accomplished as an artist when my art has enabled the viewers to visually immerse themselves within the graphical worlds and objects of my work. I would like viewers to create their own imaginative escape to enter a “journey into the landscapes of one artist’s mind”, as Philadelphia Inquirer’s art critic has described.
Artist Biography
Born and raised in Greece, I received my Bachelor Arts Degree at University of Athens. During my studies in Greece, I learned creative expression and artistic exploration from a professor who focused his curriculum on these principles that encompass Greek culture and art history. During my Masters in print making at University of Pennsylvania, my Japanese professor trained me on the minimalistic and acute techniques used in Japanese art. Both professors, with drastically different disciplines and cultures, have impacted my development as an artist and influenced the content of my work. The themes of my artwork are my own imaginative reconnections with nature, sea, and the colorful environments that I have yearned for after moving to large urban American cities from the Mediterranean landscapes.
During my studies, I received several awards and scholarships from UPENN and Univ. of Athens as recognition of the creativity of my artwork. Throughout my professional career, I have actively exhibited at group and solo shows at a variety of locations including academic institutions, private collections, galleries, and museums: UPENN’s Meyerson Hall, Rosemont College, Rowan College, Temple University, “Philagrafika” Selective Group Show, Crane Arts Building, Municipal Art Museum of Thessaloniki (Greece), Consulate General of Cyprus (New York). In addition to my professional activity, I have contributed my artwork to charity & fundraising organizations such as the American Heart Association where I designed the program collateral for the Annual Heart Ball. My artwork has been featured in CityPaper of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Education
1995 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA MFA, Printmaking
1980 University of Athens, Athens, Greece BFA, Painting; minor, Art Education and Ceramics
Continuing Education
1990 - 1992 Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA Printmaking
Awards & Honors
2013 3rd place, Annual Fall Juried Show, MCGOPA at SPP Galleries, Conshohocken, PA
1994 UPENN Scholarship, Vermont Art Studio, Montpellier, VA
1988 Winner of Juried Award in Painting, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
1978 - 1980 Artwork Portfolio Award, University of Fine Arts, Athens, Greece
Department of Ceramics Scholarship Award, University of Fine Arts, Athens, Greece
Affiliation
2010 - present Member, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA Gallery Director (2011-2013)
Professional Experience
1991 - 2000 Teacher, Hellenic-American Academy, Upper Darby, PA
1982 - 1984 Teaching Assistant, Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
1997 - 2007 Designer and Planner, Annual Heart Ball, American Heart Association, Philadelphia, PA