THE ARTWORK
Digital
print on paper, size: 65 x 50 cm. 100 copies numbered and signed by the artist.
© 2019 Artwork by Maria Papafili.
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.
© 2019 Artwork by Maria Papafili.
The copyright of this original artwork, created by Maria Papafili, belongs to
the respective artist and is protected by international copyright laws. ©
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