October 2020 Featured Artist
London-Based Printmaker & Painter
Despina Symeou
~~~
Photo Credit: SYM DSGN
|
Despina Symeou is a London-based painter and printmaker. After studying fine art, printmaking and photography, Despina specialized in jewelry design and received her B.A. (Hons) from Middlesex University in North West London.
In recent years, she has returned to the two-dimensional formats that had originally fired her imagination, predominantly in etching. She is also currently focused on painting with oils and acrylics. The human form has been her preferred starting point for most of her projects, and an eye for the interesting and sometimes unexpected elements add to the narrative as the work progresses. Despina began showing her figurative work in 2010 with her solo show “Skin Shapes.” Since then, she has exhibited her work in and around London with the Printmakers Council, biannually with The Affordable Art Fair UK, and as a member of ArtCan, a nonprofit focused on artist collaboration, which enables her work to reach a wider audience. In 2018, Despina was shortlisted for The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Many of her paintings and prints are in private collections worldwide, and her etchings are held in the Victoria & Albert Collection Fund and the Scarborough Museum Trust. |
Which artists have influenced your work?
There are many artists who have influenced and inspired me throughout my life, from printmakers Kara Walker and Stephen Chambers to the figurative paintings of Picasso and Egon Schiele. I am also drawn to Kara Elizabeth Walker’s cut-paper silhouettes. They have a strong underlying message, although the subject matter differs. My etchings tend toward the more painterly.
There are many artists who have influenced and inspired me throughout my life, from printmakers Kara Walker and Stephen Chambers to the figurative paintings of Picasso and Egon Schiele. I am also drawn to Kara Elizabeth Walker’s cut-paper silhouettes. They have a strong underlying message, although the subject matter differs. My etchings tend toward the more painterly.
Long Lazy Sunday Afternoon
Etching - 61 (W) X 50 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
Walking the Pier Blue
Photopolymer Etching - 29.5 (W) X 22.5 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
"The Pier" series is extremely interesting - the figures are dark silhouettes while the landscapes are in color.
I like to play with color and texture as seen in The Pier series of prints. The inspiration came from photographs I took one summer on the Greek Island of Cyprus. The pier was a weekend meeting place for the local teenagers, and although I wasn’t close enough to see their features, their body language told the story against the strong colors of the Mediterranean sea and sky.
The Pier series of work has taken on new meaning this year. Due to COVID-19, our ability to make new memories with friends and family has been limited. With the easing of restrictions, we now have an opportunity to re-evaluate and recreate energizing adventures and secrets - an opportunity to plan and evoke optimism for the future.
Three of these images have been chosen for Island2Island, an exhibition exploring restless movement between cultures. (See more about the exhibition below.)
I like to play with color and texture as seen in The Pier series of prints. The inspiration came from photographs I took one summer on the Greek Island of Cyprus. The pier was a weekend meeting place for the local teenagers, and although I wasn’t close enough to see their features, their body language told the story against the strong colors of the Mediterranean sea and sky.
The Pier series of work has taken on new meaning this year. Due to COVID-19, our ability to make new memories with friends and family has been limited. With the easing of restrictions, we now have an opportunity to re-evaluate and recreate energizing adventures and secrets - an opportunity to plan and evoke optimism for the future.
Three of these images have been chosen for Island2Island, an exhibition exploring restless movement between cultures. (See more about the exhibition below.)
Rendevouz
Hand Finished Screenprint - 39 (W) X 29.5 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
What type of print application do you prefer? Are there any other techniques you enjoy using?
Printmaking has various formats, but my preferred method is etching. Stephen Chambers’ figurative images introduced me to another level of expression, using ‘chine-collé,’ a collage technique applying decorative, handmade Japanese papers to enhance the narrative by adding layers to create a richness of depth and to spotlight the subject (as seen in Abracadabra and Girl With a Gold Necklace). Drawing and painting from life is the one discipline essential to navigate the human form using hand-to-eye coordination. Picasso’s early nudes caught my attention - the sensitivity and minimalistic use of color is a stark contrast to Schiele’s unapologetic figurative works. The influence of these two artists is reflected best in my recent mono prints using studies made from life drawing sessions. The way I apply the ink onto the plate is similar to applying paint to canvas. The marks and lines remain the same, but the colors merge and tonal effects take place to ensure each print is unique. This method naturally led to a more instinctive and spontaneous mono printing practice, where I make work to celebrate the classic female form. I apply a similar method on a larger scale to my canvas nudes. These paintings have a more abstract quality without deviating from the representational format. |
Abracadabra
Photo Etching & Chine Collé - 22 (W) X 30 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
Girl With a Gold Necklace
Etching with Chine Collé - 22 (W) X 29 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
Many of your pieces celebrate the female figure in the abstract. What do you hope to inspire with these works?
Of all my artwork at exhibitions and art fairs, the nudes create the strongest reaction from the public. Interestingly, these fall into two categories. First are the complimentary appreciative comments and sales. The second group respond mostly complimentary, but they also feel uncomfortable. To display a nude image in their home is often perceived as unconventional, except in the bedroom. This confuses me.
Museums and galleries all over the world include classical and abstract representations of the human form – but almost all are painted by men. Understandably, the male gaze can throw a different light on the subject; but as a woman artist, I feel nudity is not the principle message. Women’s artwork comes from a deeper understanding as to how conflicted women feel about their bodies, and what interests me is how we are all the same but also very different. By showing these works commercially I hope to play a part in changing age-old perceptions regarding the female nude.
Of all my artwork at exhibitions and art fairs, the nudes create the strongest reaction from the public. Interestingly, these fall into two categories. First are the complimentary appreciative comments and sales. The second group respond mostly complimentary, but they also feel uncomfortable. To display a nude image in their home is often perceived as unconventional, except in the bedroom. This confuses me.
Museums and galleries all over the world include classical and abstract representations of the human form – but almost all are painted by men. Understandably, the male gaze can throw a different light on the subject; but as a woman artist, I feel nudity is not the principle message. Women’s artwork comes from a deeper understanding as to how conflicted women feel about their bodies, and what interests me is how we are all the same but also very different. By showing these works commercially I hope to play a part in changing age-old perceptions regarding the female nude.
Phoenix
Mixed Media on Canvas - 69 (W) X 89 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
The Golden Hour
Mixed Media on Canvas - 72.5 (W) X 97.2 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
Sweetie Pie (Grande)
Mono Print - 49.5 (W) X 64 (H) centimetres
© Despina Symeou
Mono Print - 49.5 (W) X 64 (H) centimetres
© Despina Symeou
On My Way
Photopolymer Etching - 7.4 (W) X 12.7 (H) centimetres © Despina Symeou |
On the Move (Detail)
Photopolymer Etching Mono-Type © Despina Symeou |
|
Despina is launching a brand new website soon!
Link will be in our December issue. Stay tuned... |
EXHIBITIONS:
CURRENT: Elevate 02 Duff & Phelps at The Shard London, England UPCOMING: Island2Island October 1 - October 9 Velorose Gallery Central London Selection of Works ContemporArti Gallery Affordable Online Art Fair November 4 - November 30 |
