Thekla Papadopoulou
Title: “TRACES”
2018-2019
My recent work, “Traces”, is a series that explores feminine identity through self-portraits and also through portraits of the men in my life and around me. The work is mixed media- painting, photography, collage- on canvas or on wood panel. I’m using oil paints and pastels combined with collage of pages from old sketchbooks, journals and photographs of people and myself who are close to me. The richly textured surfaces, that encompass the human figure, allude to the dynamics of unfettered motion and elusive power and capture a new reality. What is more, through this creative process, I try to challenge and redefine the authenticity of the photographic work. I use an original Photograph, reproduce it and create a new original work of art where the old parts are visible and distinguishable. However, despite the fact that I keep part of the photographic quality of the picture, my intentions are not to replicate the past but to create a new image according to my current personal reality.
