The robust style of a sensitive artist

Helene Pavlopoulou is a distinctive young Greek artist, whose work combines qualities that appear to be antithetical, such as sensitivity, starkness, lyricism and vigour: qualities whose osmotic force exceeds the stereotypical approaches of “feminine expressivity”. In following the evolution of her oeuvre over the past years I have frequently observed her constant transformations; the balancing act between topics; the mismatched co-existing elements, which in some inexplicable manner managed to incorporate in a single unified composition different times, episodes and actions while referencing mythology, theatre, love, the animal kingdom, travel and the adventure of human existence.

However, in her most recent series of works a defining transcendence has taken place: even though individual elements of her palimpsest style remain keenly present, the dramatic quality of encounters has been amplified so that the narrative action in her paintings sweeps the viewer away to revealing landscapes of explosive expressiveness. The thematic range of her work has expanded with the introduction of historical portraiture and cartography, references to specific portraits of folk heroes / revolutionaries as well as by processing documentary images that depict a climate of social conflict and uprising. Helene Pavlopoulou is a sensitive receiver of the messages and influences transmitted by her environment. She absorbs them and transduces them into an entirely personal verbal idiom of objects that are charged with symbolic content in order to end up transforming the act of painting into a treatise of resistance and resilience.

"Ένας καιρός θα 'ρθεί να κελαηδήσουμε όρθιοι
και στην ομορφιά γενναίοι.
Αργά-γρήγορα
τα πουλιά θα μας εξημερώσουν."*

Το Κέντρο Σύγχρονης Τέχνης Διάτοπος παρουσιάζει τη νέα εικαστική πρόταση της Ελένης Παυλοπούλου με τίτλο «Veritas Regained». Τα εγκαίνια θα πραγματοποιηθούν την Παρασκευή 11 Μαΐου στις 8μμ. Η έκθεση θα διαρκέσει μέχρι και τις 2 Ιουνίου.

Η ενότητα Veritas Regained αποτελείται από έναν κύκλο έργων με αφετηρία τα σύγχρονα δράματα και τις συμφορές στον κόσμο. Πρόκειται για διφορούμενες αλληγορικές συνθέσεις με κυρίαρχο το μπλε ελεγειακό χρώμα. Σαν μια διάφανη λυπητερή τοιχοποιία με δραματικές σκηνές έντασης και απειλής που εναλλάσσονται με σκηνές εξέγερσης και απελευθέρωσης. Ένας προβληματισμός για την άλλη όψη των πραγμάτων, την υπαρξιακή παρουσία, την ελευθερία, την δημοκρατία, το κάλλος, τον έρωτα, την ευφροσύνη, την παραδείσια έκσταση ως αντίδοτα, στη φρίκη, στην απειλή, στον μετεωρισμό, στην πτώση, στην αλλοτρίωση, στην σκιώδη ζωή, στις εστίες πυρκαγιάς, στην εθελούσια ύπνωση, στην δουλοπρέπεια, στα αλλεπάλληλα πένθη.

Hélène a fait ses études de peinture à l’école supérieure des Beaux –Arts d’Athènes dans l’atelier du Prof D. Mitaras. Ella a obtenu une bourse pour post-grade du Centre National, Ecole supérieure des Beaux – Arts, atelier du prof. T. Christakis.

Hélène est une artiste accomplie, très sensible aux formes, allégories et couleurs marquantes. Son art est habité par une vision philosophique qui lui est propre, en attente du regard que le public a sur son œuvre.

Ella a participée aux plusieurs expositions personnelles et de groupes, dans plusieurs pays d’Europe, d’Asie et d’Amérique. Ses œuvres sont dans la collection de la Banque Nationale de Grèce à Athènes et Londres, ainsi que dans la collection de la Banque du Pirée, collection Kopelouzos, du musée Phrysiras et Katsigras etc.

Elle vient à Paris pour son exposition à Philomuses directement de Pékin ou elle vient d’avoir une grande exposition sous l’égide du ministère de la culture grec au nom de la coopération culturelle Sino- Hellénique.

Helene Pavlopoulou is a distinctive young Greek artist, whose work combines qualities that appear to be antithetical, such as sensitivity, starkness, lyricism and vigour: qualities whose osmotic force exceeds the stereotypical approaches of “feminine expressivity”. In following the evolution of her oeuvre over the past years I have frequently observed her constant transformations; the balancing act between topics; the mismatched co-existing elements, which in some inexplicable manner managed to incorporate in a single unified composition different times, episodes and actions while referencing mythology, theatre, love, the animal kingdom, travel and the adventure of human existence.

However, in her most recent series of works a defining transcendence has taken place: even though individual elements of her palimpsest style remain keenly present, the dramatic quality of encounters has been amplified so that the narrative action in her paintings sweeps the viewer away to revealing landscapes of explosive expressiveness. The thematic range of her work has expanded with the introduction of historical portraiture and cartography, references to specific portraits of folk heroes / revolutionaries (Bolivar, Androutsos), as well as by processing documentary images that depict a climate of social conflict and uprising. Helene Pavlopoulou is a sensitive receiver of the messages and influences transmitted by her environment. She absorbs them and transduces them into an entirely personal verbal idiom of objects that are charged with symbolic content in order to end up transforming the act of painting into a treatise of resistance and resilience.

SYRAGO TSIARA

Dr Art Historian / Director of the Thessaloniki Centre for Contemporary Art

As part of the 2017 Greece-China Year of Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation of Cultural Industries, Greece is participating in the 7th Beijing Biennial of Contemporary Art as the honoured country. The Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lydia Koniordou will be the keynote speaker at the 7th Beijing Biennial of Contemporary Art on 24 September 2017, where the exhibition “The Body, The Soul and The Place. Contemporary Greek Artists” is hosted. 27 contemporary Greek artists will participate in the exhibition, which is organized by the State Museum of Contemporary Art of Thessaloniki (SMCA) at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

The exhibition is taking place from 24 September through 15 October 2017, and is curated by Dr. Maria Tsantsanoglou, Director of the Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art and Dr. Syrago Tsiara, Director of the Contemporary Art Center of Thessaloniki.

In parallel with this event, an international symposium on co-operation with China in the field of visual arts will be held on 25 September and will be addressed by the Vice-President of the Board of Administration of the Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art, Professor Sophia Kaitatzi-Whitlock and by SMCA Director, Dr. Maria Tsantsanoglou.

Participating artists:

Manolis Baboussis, Kostas Bassanos, Rania Bellou, Christina Calbari, Lizzie Calligas, Elli Chrysidou, Aikaterini Gegisian, Giorgis Gerolympos, Manolis Giannadakis, Vangelis Gokas, Kornelios Grammenos, Fotini Kariotaki, Georgios Katsagelos, Panos Kokkinias, Sotiris Lioukras, Andreas Lolis, Alexandros Maganiotis, Despina Meimaroglou, Eleni Pavlopoulou, Vassilis Poulios, Danae Stratou, Panos Tsagaris, Giorgos Tserionis, Babis Venetopoulos, Richard Whitlock, Konstantinos Xenakis, Vasilis Zografos,

Curated by Thalia Vrachopoulos

"Helene Pavlopoulou’s large formatted paintings are centered on women within backgrounds of multi-layered commentaries. Her style although based on Renaissance precedents because of its anthropocentric focus, even contains some Byzantine characteristics like gold grounds. However, rather than painting the acerbic, controlled characters of the past, Pavlopoulou affords them an air of independence, and respect."

This exhibition celebrates women and their varied roles as seen in the works of global artists. From the beginning of time and seen in mother religions, and different ethnic mythologies woman was sought out as nurturer, shaman, and goddess. In matrilineal societies, descent has been passed down through the mother as evidenced in Egypt, Sri Lanka, Northwest India, in the Mosuo people of China, the Basques of Spain and France, and in Judaism. In Catal Huyuk, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia we came across her as the mother goddess Astarte, also known as Ishtar or Inanna. In Minoan culture the female was worshipped together with the bull god and their sanctuaries were situated between two mountains meant to act as corollary to both male and female sexual anatomies. Throughout myth and history the female has held many roles attaining different names in her many societal roles seen in Persephone the daughter of Demeter, as beloved in Euridice, as Penelope Odysseus’ faithful wife, as lover in Venus, and even as warrior in Athena. As the Oceanic Goddess Jugumishanta she created the earth with Moro-Funa, as Ala of the Ibo people in Nigeria she is goddess of fertility and in general all things. In the Arab world pre-Islam she was known as Allat who represented the earth and its fruit.

Despite their glorious past, today some women are still under-appreciated, shunted and/or underpaid in a primarily ‘masculinist’ business world or by society in general. Sometimes they are even criticized for working outside their homes when according to some, they should be home taking care of their young. So that, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the complexity of women’s roles and contributions in the everyday, but also to honor them in works of art.

The artists of this exhibition depict the qualities of female strength, dedication, tirelessness, beauty, and flexibility but also their vulnerability, anguish and delicacy. Moreover, they depict their psychological multidimensionality as well as being critical when necessary in their portrayals. Overall, this show is meant to acknowledge women and their spirit while exploring issues such as equity in the workplace, and at home.

La recepción del Quijote entre artistas de todas las disciplinas ha dado lugar a un vasto tesoro colectivo que sigue creciendo con el tiempo. En el caso de la pintura son numerosos e insustituibles los ejemplos que han pasado al imaginario colectivo universal; la obra de la artista griega Helene Pavlopoulou es una buena prueba de ello.

Formada en la Escuela de Bellas Artes de Atenas, en su trabajo dialogan los personajes de Cervantes y nombres imprescindibles de la cultura clásica y contemporánea, desde Velázquez a Chagall. Su visión de la novela, con el telón de fondo de la serie “Don Quijote”, es un creativo contrapunto a los homenajes convencionales y subraya toda la fuerza y la voluntad crítica de la formidable apuesta cervantina.

Helene Pavlopulu y su cuadro de Don Quijote (se presentó por primera vez en el Homenaje a Cervantes que tuvo lugar el 19 de mayo de 2016 en el Museo Bizantino), estarán en la entrada del Instituto Cervantes de Atenas a la disposición del público.

Frissiras museum, presents from 9 December 2015 till 30 June 2016, at the building of 3 Monis Asteriou, an exhibition which will pay an extended tribute to the European women painters of the second half of the 20th century, from its collections.

The aim of this exhibition, which includes works by 67 female artists from the Frissiras collection, is to pay homage to the sex that has contributed silently, but decisively in the formation of contemporary art, stepping out of the background and has demonstrated truly that art is sexless.

Participating artists: Angeli Io, Asargiotaki Kalliopi. Baillon Agnes. Bigaj Beata. Boviatsou Labrini, Briskola Soula, Calbari Christina, Chadoulou Katerina, Chrisochoou Sissy, Dixon Jane, Djurdjevic Biljana, Driffield Rebecca, Filopoulou Maria, Frantzola Evita, Georgiopoulou Vicky, Giannakaki Maria, Glowacka Viola, Gonou Eirini, Halkidou Stamatia, Hay Susan, Kafida Ioanna, Kapezanou Stella, Kassi Marigo, Kastori Kalli, Katraki Vasso, Katsampani Ohta Artemis, Katsoulidi Marianna, Kontogiannopoulou Leda, Krystalla Aspasia, Kyriazi Pelagia, Lampe Katinka, Latinopoulou Athina, Litti Afroditi, Loutz Frederique, Marouda Kalliroi, Mavridou Eva, Michailou Helene, Michalakopoulou Helene, Michali Olivia, Moraiti Helene, Mytara Harikleia, Papadimitriou Elena, Pasquali Beatrice, Paul Celia, Pavlopoulou Helene, Perat Emmanuelle, Pouyandeh Nazanin, Rangou Rania, Rego Paula, Romanou Chryssa, Russel Victoria, Schleime Cornelia, Siebert Uta, Soutoglou Efi, Stamatiadi Daniela, Stefanou Marianna, Szczekan Ewa, Theodoropoulou Elina, Tsakali Anna Maria, Verebics Agnes, Verghi Chryssa, Vlahaki Marilitsa, Wang Jojo, Xafopoulou Alexia, Xiang Shi, Zamboura Marilena.

Το μουσείο Φρυσίρα παρουσιάζει απο τις 9 Δεκέμβριου 2015 έως 30 Ιουνίου 2016, στο κτήριο της Μονής Αστερίου 3, ένα μεγάλο αφιέρωμα στις Ευρωπαίες γυναίκες ζωγράφους του δεύτερου μισού του εικοστού αιώνα από τις συλλογές του μουσείου.

Με την έκθεση αυτή που θα περιλαμβάνει τα έργα 67 δημιουργών, το μουσείο Φρυσίρα φιλοδοξεί να αποτίσει έναν μοναδικό φόρο τιμής στο φύλο που συντέλεσε σιωπηρά αλλά δυναμικά στην διαμόρφωση της σύγχρονης τέχνης βγαίνοντας από το περιθώριο και αποδεικνύοντας έμπρακτα πως η τέχνη δεν έχει φύλο.

Στην έκθεση συμμετέχουν οι καλλιτέχνες: Baillon Agnes, Bigaj Beata, Dixon Jane, Djurdjevic Biljana, Driffield Rebecca, Fambris Georgia, Hay Susan, Glowacka Viola, Fambris Georgia, Lampe Katinka, Loutz Frederique, Pasquaili Beatrice, Paul Celia, Perat Emmanuelle, Pouyandeh Nazanin, Rego Paula, Russel Victoria, Schleime Cornelia, Siebert Uta, Szczekan Ewa, Verebics Agnes, Wang Jojo, Xiang Shi, Αγγελή Ηώ, Ασαργιωτάκη Καλλιόπη, Βέργη Χρύσα, Βλαχάκη Μαριλίτσα, Γεωργιοπούλου Βίκυ, Γιαννακάκη Μαρία, Γκόνου Ειρήνη, Ζαμπούρα Μαριλένα, Θεοδωρούπουλου Ελίνα, Κάλμπαρη Χριστίνα, Καπεζάνου Στέλλα, Κάσση Μαριγώ, Καστώρη Κάλλη, Κατράκη Βάσω, Κατσαμπάνη Ohta Άρτεμις, Κατσουλίδη Μαριάννα, Καφίδα Ιωάννα, Κοντογιαννοπούλου Λήδα, Κρυσταλλά Ασπασία, Κυριαζή Πελαγία, Λατινοπούλου Αθηνά, Λίτη Αφροδίτη, Μαρούδα Καλλιρόη, Μαυρίδου Εύα, Μιχαήλου Ελένη, Μιχαλακοπούλου Ελένη, Μιχάλη Ολίβια, Μποβιάτσου Λαμπρινή, Μπρισκόλα Σούλα, Μυταρά Χαρίκλεια, Μωραΐτη Ελένη, Ξαφοπούλου Αλεξία, Παπαδημητρίου Έλενα, Παυλοπούλου Ελένη, Ράγκου Ράνια, Ρωμανού Χρύσσα, Σούτογλου Έφη, Σταματιάδη Ντανιέλα, Στεφάνου Μαριάννα, Τσακάλη Άννα Μαρία, Φιλοπούλου Μαρία, Φραντζολά Εβίτα, Χαδουλού Κατερίνα, Χαλκίδου Σταματία, Χρυσοχόου Σίσσυ.