Nostos
Jannis Psychopedis
CONTEMPORARY ART
MARCH 4 UNTIL APRIL 30, 2008
THE EXHIBITION
About a hundred works from 1980 to that period, both paintings and mixed techniques, revealed significant moments in the development of the art of the distinguished painter as well as his thematic investigations of the spiritual essence of ancient Greek culture. They were representative pieces from much-debated series of his known work, such as Winged words. Notes on the Odyssey, Tale of two cities, The letter that never arrived, Fragile paintings, Columns and pillars, and The heritage of Apollo.
The exhibition also included his monumental compositions: Oracle (2003), A hundred plates (2005) and Large Nostos (2008), and also the installation Alphabet 24 (24 books – 24 letters), which reveal his determination to conquer new plastic expressive media. Throughout his career, Psychopedis has concentrated his attention on the balanced relationship between the conceptual charge of his work and the quality of the plastic values of his painting.
Psychopedis handles his store of memories and experience with great immediacy and freedom. He has devoted himself to investigating our world. Expressionist gestures and abstract formulations are familiar elements in his artistic expression. His critical intent and reflective eye enable him to comment directly or indirectly on reality and its relation to the ancient past.
IMAGES
THE ARTIST
Jannis Psychopedis (b. 1945) studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts and continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, having received a state scholarship. He was a founder member of the group of ‘New Greek Realists’ (1971-1973) who, with their artistic activity, left a strong imprint in the 1970s with a significant political and social impact.
An important capacity of himself has also been that of the teacher, as from 1994-2012 he was a Professor at Athens school of Fine Arts.
