NEW YORK – Going beyond the expected, practically, by overcoming the struggling artist label in a time of economic crisis, and aesthetically, is very important for Greece’s young artists. The exhibition of the works of 26
artists from Greece at the Consulate General of Greece in Manhattan titled “Colors of Greece” puts the current
face of Modern Greek Painting on display and proudly proclaims the indomitable Hellenic spirit.
Consul General Amb. George Iliopoulos told the guests the exhibit “is particularly important for us because it gives a picture of what a culture of production today in Greece looks like.”
He expressed his appreciation to the show’s curator, Irene Vantaraki and Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who arranged for the Hamptons exhibition.
Vantaraki in turn thanked Iliopoulos for reaching out to her and hosting the exhibit and said the artists are excited to have their work on display in New York. After citing the diachronic achievements of Hellenism she declared that “modern Greek civilization must go out from Greece and be shown to the world because there is not only bad news
in Greece. We have great things to show the world.”
She told TNH the artists are young but some are quite accomplished despite their youth and that the works of art and biographies of the artists can be viewed at Vandiri.com.
The art assembled by Vantaraki represented an impressive variety of styles and types, from striking flowers by Angelos and sublime seascapes by Chrysa Verghi to lovely still lives Christos Palantzas to abstract works like “Drachma” by Phillip Chiaras.
Each of the works – not all the artists can be named here – captured the viewers’ attention in its own way. There were surreal works that were vaguely disturbing like Irene Ilioppoulou’s “Swimming Lessons” and the more del
iberately so “In a Matter of Speaking” by Tassos Missouras.
The fantastic was represented by the Chagal-like “Odyssey” by Sophia Kalogeropoulou and “Southers Souns” by Olda Maria evoked the great impressionists.
“Angeliki in Blue Dress” by Daskalaki depicted a woman in deep thought while the woman of “Red Lips 2” by Savas Georgiades has left thought behind and revels in indignation.
Xanthipe Tsalimi, a painter from Greece who has worked with and been exhibited with a number of the artists. She arrived in New York two years ago and believes the exhibition will open important doors for them.
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