Zoumboulakis Gallery presents Philippos Theodorides’ s new solo exhibition “Misremembered Memories”, opening on November 9, 2023.
Alkistis Tsabouraki notes in her catalogue text: “For his new exhibition, Theodorides approaches painting as a physical construction putting an emphasis on the idea of the structure. Patterns, grids and lines emerge in different sizes and palettes. Deep fields of color are interrupted by chunks of white space. He has developed a wide range of tones, building on the inspiration he draws from life in a city enmeshed in patterns of urban life. Looking at his pigment-rich canvases, we could indeed be looking into the framework of a modern metropolis or at the view from his studio in Monastiraki and into the shadows buildings cast.
In his new body of paintings, accidental drips and splatters become an integral part of the work, while every element is carefully considered, placed in exactly the right position, at the right size and the proper angle. All is revealed here: the artist’s elevation of graphic imagery, his sense of humor, his constant struggle between figuration and abstraction, and between quick and meticulous composition. Theodorides integrates symbols like the circle (drawn directly onto the canvas from his drums) as visual elements with other entities like abstracted letters or body parts communicating complex ideas with a refreshing simplicity. His arrangement of colourful forms and concentric circles becomes both an illustrative image and a dynamic composition translating his desire to defamiliarize the ordinary: the urban view of Athens from his studio, images of half-destroyed street posters, the shadows of buildings and ancient Greek symbols.
Short Bio: Philippos Theodorides (b.1978) was born in Limassol, Cyprus. After studying Art for the Community, at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, he continued his studies at the Athens School of Fine Arts, under Professor Jannis Psychopedis (2003-2008). He is working as a painter and illustrator, collaborating with various galleries and magazines. As an Illustrator, he has won the State Illustration Award for Children’s Literature in 2014, the EBGE price for a publicity illustration (Bold & Ogilvy & Mather) in 2016. He has presented solo shows in Athens and Cyprus and has participated in various group shows in Greece and abroad. He lives and works in Athens. “Misremembered” is his second solo show at Zoumboulakis Galleries.
