An Interview With Georgia Theologou
Georgia Theologou's art explores the human condition by blending realism with expressionistic emotion, focusing on the simple yet profound human form. She captures the fragility, introversion, and sexuality of her subjects, whom she sees as experiential beings where inner and outer worlds merge. Using photography as a base, she paints individuals known to her or encountered briefly, aiming to depict moments of acceptance, navigating between beauty and alienation, and creating a new reality where emotional flow disrupts and enriches natural realism. The surrounding environment becomes integral to each portrait, reflecting the subject's psychological landscape.
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
I am a Greek artist born and raised in the suburbs of Athens, in an industrial city, during the 90s and early 00s. The art discovery started at the age of four, when my parents gave me a pad and watercolor paints and my first experiments were abstract colorful images. My grandmother liked to collect paintings of young girls, so these paintings were my first inspiration, and after a few years my little sisters were born who became my first muses.
How do you aim to balance the simplicity of the human form with the complexity of emotions like fragility, introversion, and sexuality?
My paintings are mainly anthropocentric, and I usually depict the woman and the complexity of her nature. Through my female gaze, I talk about femininity as I experience it and not as an observer. My female figures have their own sexuality. They are not sexual objects, but beings who impose their own truth about who they are.
Can you elaborate on the concept of "experiential beings"? How do you convey the idea that a person's environment coexists with their inner world?
I consider myself a storyteller and I use symbols to tell my stories. I place the females I depict in a ritual setting, creating allegorical places that accompany the female figures.
What techniques or approaches do you use to convey emotions in your work?
I was drawn to images that shine, such as the beauty of lit candles, the twinkling of stars in a dark sky, and the iridescence that light creates on transparent objects. I try to transfer these visual idioms to my paintings to bring out the impression of an image of a fairy tale, and also a dream world. I paint in many layers to create the impression of a calm and otherworldly environment that glows from within.
What qualities or characteristics in a subject draw you in? Are there particular emotions or stories that you seek out?
The subjects that I mention in my work is the celebration of female unity, the sisterhood, and the concept of inner journey. I love the world of dreams and fairy tales but I also like fluid and abstract images. I am trying to find balance between tranquillity and impressiveness.
When did you first know you wanted to be an artist? Were there any early experiences that particularly inspired you?
I knew I want to be an artist at the age of 18. Before that I was always in artistic practices like painting with different mediums, creating comics and illustration and also experimenting with digital media. When I was a child, I used to go on holidays with my beloved grandmother to the island of Skopelos. I have the most beautiful and carefree memories on this island, spending my time at the beach, making a lot of friends and playing traditional Greek games. I used to paint on shells and rocks I found on the beach and also creating fashion designs inspired by magazine images. I read comics and then I was trying to create my own. My uncle used to draw so he taught me how to draw and to create candles with beautiful colors and abstract shapes. When I returned home from holidays I was always trying to find time to create art.
Are there any contemporary artists or trends that you find especially influential?
I really like contemporary art and I believe the art scene right now is at its best because of the diversity of artistic aesthetics. I am an art enthusiast and I enjoy the art of many contemporary artists. I have many favourites but I mostly like art styles that look like the spiritual world of Agnes Pelton and of course I also like abstract figurative. I also have to mention Naudline Pierre who is one of my personal favourites and the amazing sculptures of Amy Brener.
What are you passionate about outside of art? Do your other interests find their way into your work in any way?
I think I mostly enjoy art in my life. I like singing, board games, movies and of course fashion. I also like to read books that are more spiritual like Annie Besant's treatise in theosophy that has also inspired me a lot creating my work.
What is your favourite book or film and why?
As I mentioned before Annie Besant wrote one of my favourite books , which is "the ancient wisdom" and I also enjoyed the "thought forms" that has some amazing illustrations and concepts referring to visual arts. I enjoyed the poems of Rupi Kaur in her book "milk and honey". As for the movies I would like to mention "Midsommar" and "The Magdalene sisters" and last but not least I loved 'Poor things" and my favourite " The Lobster" by the Greek director Yoryos Lanthimos.
Are you working on any projects you are particularly excited about?
Right now I am working in a series of paintings on the concept of metamorphosis. These series are depicting ethereal figures in mystical environments. The concept of metamorphosis refers to the transformation of the butterfly, that is the ideal form. Through this concept and its symbolism I want to explore the inner journey, the independence from criticism and questioning based on social norms, and the self-determination and celebration of female empowerment.