Aristeidis Lappas

The characters that populate the canvases of Aristeidis Lappas are based on mythological references to Ancient Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Figures like Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, as well as Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love, fertility and war, are the main protagonists, whilst Angra Mainyu, the evil, destructive spirit in Zoroastrianism and the legend of St. George also contribute to the formation of the characters. Patterns inspired by traditional embroidery and textiles add to the melody of form and colour while engaging in a cross-cultural dialogue. Mythological and historical references create a narration that bestows a spiritual dimension to Aristeidis Lappas ' work. Binary definitions break down uniting into a primal understanding of existence where meagre segregations give way to the totality of the human experience. Form is a vehicle for meaning. It is treated as a narration tool or a representational element that creates a character. At the same time, it's used as a building block where information can be inserted as colour, texture or pattern. Thus, a painting can be both a figurative and abstract composition. Having established an aesthetic language following his previous work with urbanity, as well as symbols of the Greek identity, Lappas now aims to construct a poetic narrative focusing on more esoteric subjects. Rather than following a linear avenue of thought, the work presents a space where different interpretations reconstruct new meanings and draw new connections. Through the use of form, multi-layered compositions as well as colour pallets, the artist continues his exploration of the language of painting.