THE
ARTIST
EURAN
European Art Networks presents:
Maria
Papafili, European Artist with a Global Presence
Alexandros
Mimoglou
Art,
Architecture and Design Consulting
Thursday,
September 21, 2023
Introduction
Maria
Papafili is a highly acclaimed artist with a diverse background and a global
footprint. Born in Corinth, Greece, she currently resides in Europe, where she
lives and moves among various countries, including Cyprus, Italy, France,
Sweden, Switzerland, and her native Greece. Her artistic journey is a testament
to her international reach and influence. Beyond her artistic prowess, Maria
has also played significant roles as a curator, art consultant, and board
member of prominent organizations.
Biography
Educational
Background and Scholarships
Maria's
extensive educational journey took her across European borders:
1979-1987:
Superior Fine Art School of Athens, Greece. Subjects: Painting, Arts History,
Fresco, Art of Portable Icons, Mosaic. Teachers: Y. Moralis, D. Mytaras, M.
Lambraki-Plaka, G. Xynopoulos, I. Kolefas. Achievement: Graduated with an
"excellent" note. Scholarships: State Scholarships Foundation (IKY).
1985-1991:
Vikatos Foundation Scholarship at Superior Fine Art School of Athens for
studies in Paris, France.
1985-1989:
Ecole Nationale Supèrieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris with teacher Vladimir
Velickovik.
1985-1989:
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts-Decoratifs de Paris (ENSAD) in the
Art-Space section. Diploma note: "very good".
1988-1993:
Post-degree Diploma of Advanced Research (D.E.A.) in Philosophy and History of
Art at the University of Paris Pantheon Sorbonne, Paris, France.
1995:
Scholarship from the Gallery Bosh, Athens, for studies in Germany.
Individual
Exhibitions
Maria's
artistry knows no borders, as evident from her extensive solo exhibitions:
1991:
Cultural Centre "Ora," Athens, Greece
1993: Art
Gallery "Amimoni," Ioannina, Greece
1994: Art
Gallery "Ekfrasi," Athens, Greece
1995: Bosch
Gallery, Athens, Greece
1996:
Gallery K, London; Anny Balta Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece
1998: Argo
Gallery, Athens, Greece
2001:
Stockholm Art Fair with EURAN (European Art Networks), Stockholm, Sweden
2002:
Gallery Replay, Mykonos, Greece
2005: Art
Gallery "Ekfrasi," Athens, Greece
2006: Art
Gallery "Chrysa," Katerini, Greece
2014: Art
Gallery "Emmanouil Roidis," Hermoupolis, Syros island, Greece
2019/03-04:
Art Gallery Argo, Athens, Greece
Main
Group Exhibitions
Maria's
presence in the European art scene is palpable through her participation in
numerous group exhibitions:
1985:
Exhibition of students, Superior Fine Art School of Athens
1986:
Polychronopoulos Museum, Culture Centre of Paleon Faliron
1987-1988:
Galerie des Beaux-Arts, Paris; Cité des Arts, Paris; Centre Culturel, Amiens;
Centre Culturel, Rheims
1989:
Exhibition of mosaic at the Cultural Centre of the Athens Town hall in memory
of I. Kolefas
1990:
Centre Culturel, Tours; Galerie des Beaux-Arts, Atelier Vladimir Velichovic;
Exhibition "For a new humanism" organized by Mrs. Lambraki-Plaka at
the Art Center of Ville juif, Paris
1991: Cité
des Arts, Paris
1992: Art
Gallery "Ora," "Homage," Athens
1993: V.
Frysiras collection, Municipal Pinachoteque of Rhodes; Art and concert hall
Hydra; Byzantine museum, Zakynthos; Exhibition about mass media, Conference
Hall Zapeion, Athens
1994: Le
Triomphe du Trompe-l'oeil, Grand Palais, Paris;
"Positions-Counter-positions", Citybank, Athens
1995:
National Art Hall, Athens for "Homage to El Greco" and New
acquisitions
1996:
"Homage to Periklis Pantazis" at Averoff Art Gallery, Metsovo;
Vafopoulos museum, Thessaloniki
1997:
Pierides Pinacothèque with Adel Saatchi & Saatchi representing Chipita
1998:
"Saronikos" at Periplanisi Art Gallery, Glyfada, Athens
1999: Anny
Balta Gallery, Thessaloniki for "Form in space"
2000:
Polyedro, Patras for "The Olive"; Gallery "Argo" partners,
Athens for 2000 cans (Painting, Sculpture, Multimedia) sponsored by Bazaar
Discount Super Markets
2002:
Gallery Anny Balta Thessaloniki for "Painted impressions"
2003:
Gallery Anny Balta Thessaloniki; Gallery Argo, Athens (twice); Gallery Ekfrasi,
Athens
2004:
Gallery Argo, Athens during the Olympic Games of Athens
2018:
Christmas Group Exhibition, Argo Art Gallery, Athens
2019/05:
Art Gallery Argo, Athens, Greece
2019/09:
"Art Athina 2019" Athens Art Fair with the Art Gallery Argo
2020 /
01-04: B. & M. Theocharakis Foundation, Athens, presentation of a work by
the National Gallery in the exhibition "The Human Form in Greek Painting
20th Century"
2020/10:
Art Athina 2020 Virtual Athens Art Fair with the Argo Art Gallery, on the
Internet and in the gallery.
Collections
Maria's
artistry transcends borders and is cherished in collections worldwide:
National
Art Gallery of Athens
Averof Art
Gallery of Metsovo, Greece
Numerous
private collections in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and
other countries.
Professional
Roles
Maria has
contributed significantly to the art world through her roles as a curator, art
consultant, and board member:
Curator:
Worked as a curator at one of the main museums in Athens for 10 years.
Art
Consultant: Worked as an art consultant in the cruise industry for 20 years.
Board
Member: Currently serves as a member of the board at the Swedish Art,
Architecture, and Design consulting company EURAN European Art Networks AB.
Conclusion
Maria
Papafili's artistic journey is a testament to her international appeal and her
ability to thrive in diverse cultural landscapes across Europe. Alongside her
artwork, her multifaceted contributions to the art world, her roles as a
curator, consultant, and board member showcase her holistic engagement with art
and further enrich her impressive career. Her work as an artist and the wealth
of her professional contributions continue to transcend boundaries, captivating
audiences globally.
INTRODUCTION
OF THE ARTIST TO THE COLLECTION “IN THE TRACES OF THE AURA”
Dedicated
to the women and children of the world, whose power of gaze and aura not only
did not leave me indifferent, but became the stimulus and the motive, the
starting point and the inspiration for the creation of these artworks.
Maria Papafili
Art
critics
Art
critic Dora Iliopoulou-Rogan offers a captivating assessment
of artist Maria Papafili's "In the Enchantment of the Look" series.
She praises Papafili's masterful portrayal of subjects, highlighting the
profound impact of their expressive eyes, which serve as windows to their
souls. Iliopoulou-Rogan notes that Papafili's art transcends conventional
beauty and light, imbuing it with metaphysical depth. She commends the artist's
unique ability to convey timeless, existential messages through her portraits, emphasizing
the magnetic power of the subjects' gazes and their role in fostering a direct
and lasting connection with viewers.
Dora
Iliopoulou-Rogan, Dr. Historian of Art – Art Critic, Officier des Arts et des
Lettres (France).
Art
critic Athena Schina provides a thoughtful review of Maria
Papafili's "The Face Cosmography" series. She praises Papafili's
exploration of memories, emotions, and the power of women, especially mothers
and children, within these paintings. Schina acknowledges the immediate appeal
and honesty in Papafili's work, noting a subtle lyricism with latent eroticism.
The paintings, according to Schina, blend everyday life with myth and
imagination through color and design, creating captivating paradoxes. Schina
also highlights the emotional depth and surface dialogue in the art, ultimately
commending Papafili for conveying joy, sensuality, and cultural richness in her
cosmographic portrayal of life's pleasures.
Athena
Schina, Greek Historian of Art & Theory of Culture.
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