Rena Papaspyrou: Images Through Matter

2 Oct-16 Nov 2024

Overview

This exhibition marks the London debut of Rena Papaspyrou, one of Greece’s foremost post-war artists. Since the 1960s, Papaspyrou has drawn inspiration from the architecture of her Athens neighborhood, using found materials like bricks, tiles, mosaics, and sections of old walls. She enhances the natural cracks, dents, and marks with pencil and paint to create evocative images, sculptures, and installations.

Images Through Matter showcases Papaspyrou’s unique approach, featuring 22 representative works spanning from the 1970s to the present.

Dr. Nayia Yiakoumaki, Director of The Hellenic Centre, says, “This exhibition presents a significant body of work by a leading female European artist. We are immensely proud to introduce Rena Papaspyrou to the UK, aligning with our mission to bring the best of Greek culture to London.”

The exhibition is curated by Inês Costa, Curator, Focal Point Gallery and Dr. Nayia Yiakoumaki, Director, The Hellenic Centre, with Grace Strasen, Public Programme & Events Co-ordinator, The Hellenic Centre.

Born in 1938, Rena Papaspyrou studied at Athens School of Fine Arts (1956–61) and at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1963–67). She was Professor at Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) from 1993 until 2005, where she has been Emeritus Professor since 2006. She was director of Painting Workshop C (1993–2005), the first female professor at ASFA to ever direct their own workshop. She lives and works in Athens. Since her first solo exhibition in Paris in 1966, she has exhibited extensively throughout Europe as well as the USA, Brazil and China.