Press Release
Painter Antonis Choudalakis grew up on the island of Crete, where he studied Greek and Roman frescoes; in his work he applies his paints to wet plaster, as the ancient Mediterranean did. The results are portraits of intense melancholy and introspection, presented to us in sunburned browns. These could be portraits of Icarus, Prometheus, or even Hector, with an added dimension of complex psychological turmoil. Antonis has chosen the form of fresco "to understand the way time works in relation to our lives." He further elaborates on this theme by using as his base pieces of wood which he has separated, or jaggedly cut. These are fragments excavated from a temple of ancient memories, and have reddened from exposure to the light of personal scrutiny. Antonis' entire artistic process is reflected here, for just as our recollections can grow disjointed over time, Antonis' subjects present themselves to us broken, as it were, by their tormented psyches.
Antonis Choudalakis' dialogue with ancient art forms, and his place in the contemporary moment, brings forth works of a unique character. Yet he has captured moods which are just as real to us as they were in the ancient world. Antonis is carrying forth with an artistic tradition, yet he makes it entirely his own.
Invitation to the exhibition
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View the catalog page
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Artists in this exhibition
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