A Childhood Encounter with Red:
My personal relationship with red goes far beyond its universal symbolism. It’s tied to one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. At just five years old, I suffered a severe internal hemorrhage—a terrifying experience that brought me face-to-face with mortality.
I still vividly remember the sight of red blood I vomited—a signal of danger, yet paradoxically, a sign that saved my life. My father acted immediately, rushing me to the hospital. That decisive moment ensured my survival, leaving an indelible mark on my understanding of life’s fragility and resilience.
A Full-Circle Story:
Years later, fate brought me back to that pivotal moment in an extraordinary way. The very hospital where I was saved as a child has been transformed into an artists’ foundation. My studio now resides in that space, a poetic full-circle connection between my most vulnerable moment and the creative life I now lead.
This space imbues my work with red’s layered meanings—survival, transformation, and creation. Red reminds me of how life itself is both fragile and resilient, fleeting yet fiercely powerful.
Red is the foundation of my creative expression, a thread that ties my personal journey to universal human truths. Its presence in my paintings, sculptures, and performances is deliberate and profound, embodying themes that resonate deeply with me and my audience.
Life’s Fragility and Strength: Red reflects the tension between vulnerability and perseverance.
Personal Transformation: Each piece serves as a reminder of how red shaped my survival and continues to fuel my creative journey.
Emotional Impact: Red is immediate and visceral, inviting viewers to connect with the emotions and stories embedded in my work.
Key Works Featuring Red:
Red’s power shines through in many of my works, anchoring their emotional and thematic essence:
“Keadas Cave” (2017): The intense crimson vortex mirrors mythological and existential struggles, drawing the viewer into a world of courage and chaos.
“Sacred Life I” (2022): Here, red intertwines with intricate ink details, symbolizing the fragility and vibrancy of human existence—a pulse of life in every stroke.
“Helen of Troy” (2017): Red becomes a metaphor for Helen’s strength and tumultuous journey, reflecting both her beauty and the chaos surrounding her myth.
“The Promised Land”(2023): Red stands for exploring the idea of longing, transformation and a complex journey toward an idealized destination.
Even in my ongoing Still Humans project, red permeates the narrative. The deep red dress I was wearing during photo shoots is a deliberate choice—an emblem of the sacred and the fallen, a testament to perseverance in a world of illusions. The fashion designer Lora Dimoglou understood right away what I had in mind, she designed an exceptional piece.
Why Red Matters:
For me, red transcends decoration; it communicates. It is a force that speaks directly to the human condition, stirring emotions and challenging perceptions. Its immediacy commands attention, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the tension, beauty, and vitality of my work.
Red is survival, transformation, and connection. It binds my personal story to the universal truths we all share, making it an enduring and essential force in my creative palette. Through red, I explore not just life, but the raw and profound ways we all navigate it.