To me, art is an immortal journey, a way of life committed to the pursuit and understanding of truth.
My work unfolds as a journey of exploration, striving to balance the intricacies of my philosophical beliefs.
I seek to breathe new life into concepts that have become conventional, transforming them into avenues for deeper inquiry. My subjects are archetypal and timeless, resonating with profound questions about our origin and the fundamental right to life, making them both universal and relevant in today’s world.
I believe that the presence of humanity in art has the power to give substance to the chaos of time, reflecting the visions and experiences of our existence.
Through this engagement, art becomes a pathway to catharsis, a sanctuary that nurtures our collective spiritual health and resilience.
Athanasia-Iris
Artist
Bio
Athanasia Iris is a visual artist of Greek origin, currently based in the Netherlands. Her name, Athanasia, meaning “immortal” in Greek, is reflected in her website title, It’s Immortal, which emphasizes her exploration of themes related to existence, resilience and the enduring nature of human stories through her art.
Athanasia’s artistic practice spans various mediums, including sculpture, painting and performance, characterized by a deep engagement with existential themes and mythology. Her project Still Humans investigates the illusion of free will and the resilience of the human spirit in a world marked by detachment and emptiness. The work features a sculpture installation composed of hundreds of unique white ceramic forms, symbolizing the uniformity of modern existence.
In her project Immortal Echoes, she revisits multiple ancient myths, highlighting their relevance to contemporary life. The sculpture series Icarus explores the essence of the myth on a deeper level, reflecting on personal evolution and ambition. For Athanasia, the story of Icarus embodies the flight itself as a symbol of humanity’s quest for truth. Additionally, her painting Pandora serves as a critique of the current social climate, addressing themes of misinformation and societal chaos. This work critiques the manufactured chaos that ensnares modern society, highlighting issues like ignorance and inequality
Athanasia is also in the process of publishing her book, Plato, Aeschylus and Post Avant-Garde Art, which intertwines Ancient Greek texts with English translations and her visual artwork. This interplay aims to create a dialogue between the texts and the corresponding art, inviting readers to explore how these ancient narratives resonate with contemporary artistic practices
Through her work, Athanasia aims to awaken awareness and provoke thought about the complexities of human existence, establishing herself as a vital voice in today’s art world. She often describes our modern experience as wandering through a glass labyrinth, where we stumble against invisible walls, unaware of their presence. This metaphor illustrates the challenges and confusions of contemporary life, where individuals navigate through layers of perception and misunderstanding, struggling to find clarity and direction.
Studies
2023 Certificate, Youth Trainer in social skills, failure anxiety&examn fear, HPC Trainingen, Netherlands
2021-2022 Diploma in creative therapy coaching, Laudius, Netherlands
2015-2018 BA Hons Fine Art and New Media, Middlesex University, London
2010-2011 Artistic training from courses at “Michaelides” arts-schools, Athens
2009 Artistic training from courses at “Beldekos- Sarasitis” arts-schools, Athens
1996-1998 BA in Hospitality Management, Euro Academy-Eindhoven, Netherlands
Solo exhibitions
2023 “Still Humans I”, Chili Art Gallery, Athens, Greece
2011 “Bridges To Art … Bridges To Silence”, Old School, Monastiraki, Athens, Greece.
2008 Technodrasi, Pireaus, Greece.
2006 Aspoart, Athens, Greece.
2001 Artcafe Through Time, Athens, Greece.
Participations in group exhibitions
2024 “Thassos Art Project”, Kalogeriko, Limenas, Thassos island, Greece
2024 “Get out of your Skull 2.0”, Mishmash gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2024 “Get out of your Skull 2.0”, Cultuurhoek, Driebergen, Netherlands
2024 “Get out of your Skull 2.0”, Artspace Arti et Amicitiae Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2024 “Get out of your Skull 2.0”, Zilverhof, Ghent, Belgium
2023 “Open Doors”, Romanzo, Athens, Greece
2023 “A Vote for Art”, Chili Art Gallery, Athens, Greece
2023 “GAIA-Terra”, Medina Roma Art Gallery, Roma, Italy
2022 “The Greek Light” the Hague, Leonardo Royal Hotel, by the Greek Embassy in the Netherlands
2022 “Personal Data” Myro gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece
2022 “Agean Blue” Oasis gallery, Bodrum, Turkey
2019 “Greece Everywhere”, Expo Houten, Utrecht, Netherlands
2018 “Aeriofos” by Akto College & Gas company, Technopolis, Athens, Greece.
2018 “Nature Inside” by H.Art.V., Depot Art Gallery, Kolonaki, Athens, Greece.
2018 “A Rock Story”, Trii Art Hub, Koukaki, Athens, Greece.
2015 “Dialogue between artist and viewer”, MaLou Art Consulting and Art Gallery, Athens, Greece.
2014 “Diversity”, Art Gallery Panos Archolekas, Ios Island, Greece.
2011 “Athens Fringe Festival 2011”, Technopolis, Gazi, Athens, Greece.
2010 “Disability”, multinational exhibition at JOHN KENNEDY Ιnstitute, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
2010 ” 2nd Multinational Exhibition” by Unesco Pireos & Nison, Piraeus, Greece.
2009 “Controversies In Contemporary Greek Art”, Athens Fine Art Festival, Athens, Greece.
2009 “Greek Colours / Colours Of Peace”, Cultural Centre of Athens Municipality Melina Merkouri, Athens, Greece.
2009 “Multinational Festival ” by Unesco Pireos & Nison, Greece.
2009 “International Art ” exhibition by Unesco Pireos & Nison, Greece.
2009 “Greek colors abroad 2”, Cultural Centre of Athens Municipality Melina Merkouri, Athens, Greece.
2008 “Athens Fine Arts Festival”, Controversies In Contemporary Greek Art, Athens, Greece.
2008 Calendar Artwork 2009″, Municipal Art Gallery of Pireaus by Unesco Pireos & Nison, Piraeus, Greece.
2008 “Protection Of The Enviroment”, Athens War Museum, Athens, Greece.
2008 “Greek Colors Abroad”, Athens Fine Art Festival, Athens, Greece.
Activities
- Creative therapy coach in Vessem (2021-23)
- Volunteer at a youth work facility, providing creative projects and numerous activities , Vessem (2020-21).
- Artistic supervisor for a short film (children’s dance theatre), in corporation with “Oniroessa” dance theater group, “Herakleidon Museum”, Athens (2018).
- Sets and Art Direction of the theatrical play “Imperator Calligula”, “Alkmini theater” (2016).
- Workshops in Greece and Holland and with a particular focus on Ancient Greek Mythology.
- Member of the evaluation committee of the Greek Children’s Gallery.
- She teaches the History of Arts, Painting and Clay Sculptures to young students in her studio.
- She taught painting at an elementary school in Greece.