Religious paintings at Astrolavos
In the spirit of Holy Week, the Astrolavos Artlife gallery is presenting two exhibitions at its Kolonaki location. At the gallery’s main hall, an exhibition showcasing works with religious themes features works by noted artists Fotis Kontoglou, Nikos Hadzikyriakos-Ghika, Spyros Vassileiou, Nikos Engonopoulos, Theofilos, Aginora Asteriadi, Giorgos Vakirtzi, Nikos Gavriil Pentzikis and Alekos Kontopoulos. The show opened last night. The majority of the works are small in size, including oil paintings, temperas, and artworks in pencil or ink. Some of the works delve into iconographic subjects and feature an approach directly related to the rules of Byzantine art. Several works are more personal, but retain influences from the past and show the early 20th century continuation of the centuries-long tradition of artists painting religious works. The works also attest to the real passion that artists of the 1930s generation felt for Greek folk tradition. Art shop Right next door, at the Astrolavos art shop, visitors may browse and purchase items from an abundant collection of seasonal works by various artists. On display are items especially made for Easter, including Easter eggs (ceramic or in wood) hand-painted or decorated with metal and wooden figures, bird nests and butterflies – anything fitting for table decoration. Also available are original lambades, Easter candles, offering an artistic dimension to a traditional notion as well as small paintings, games, Easter crosses and lamps. Astrolavos – Artlife, 11 Irodotou, Kolonaki, tel 210.722.1200. Both displays run to May 7.
