Project Description

Six Artists Narrate
Daphne Angelidou | Maria Giannakaki | Irini Kana | Thanasis Makris | Christos Pallantzas | Manolis Charos

For another year, Nitra Gallery in Thessaloniki presents a unique exhibition dedicated to distinguished Greek painters, continuing the tradition of its annual anniversary series. This time, six acclaimed artists participate, whose work has significantly contributed to the promotion of Greek painting both nationally and internationally.

The exhibition captures their creative identity, showcasing works inspired by landscapes, emotions, and memories, all through their personal artistic perspective. Their creations are filled with light, color, and narrative.

The participating artists, members of the same broader creative generation, draw from the magic of the festive season and compose a multidimensional exhibition brimming with dreams, hope, and nostalgia. Images of welcoming interiors, tranquil forests, coastlines, and nocturnal landscapes serve as vessels of imagination, offering a puzzle of diverse narratives that interact with one another.

Nitra Gallery invites you to discover the uniqueness of art through the unity and diversity of these artists. This holiday season, painting becomes the bridge connecting their stories with ours, offering a visual journey that promises inspiration and delight.

 

 

Artist Bios

Maria Giannakaki
Born in Athens in 1958, Maria Giannakaki studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) under Panagiotis Tetsis and mosaic art with George Kolefas (1977-1982). She continued her postgraduate studies in China at the Hangzhou Academy of Fine Arts on a state scholarship, specializing in traditional Chinese painting (1983-1985). Her first solo exhibition was held in Beijing in 1986. Chinese painting and calligraphy deeply influenced her distinctive style, characterized by the use of ink, colored pencils, or pastels on silk or rice paper. She has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions in Greece, France, Belgium, and China, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions internationally. Her artworks are featured in public and private collections in Greece and abroad.

Irini Kana
Born in Chania, Irini Kana studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Panagiotis Tetsis, graduating with distinction, and scenography under Vassilis Vassiliadis. Her work focuses on landscapes and human figures, with an emphasis on the female form. Her technique and color palette create works characterized by a dreamlike atmosphere. She has held over 25 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions, with her works featured in major museums, galleries, and collections, including the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, the Goulandris Museum, and the Municipal Gallery of Chania.

Thanasis Makris
Thanasis Makris was born in Kalamata in 1955 and studied painting at ASFA in Athens under Yiannis Moralis (1975-1980). He pursued further studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1980-1982). His personal style draws from expressionism, emphasizing dynamic and gestural brushwork that combines realistic depiction with abstract elements. He has presented his work in over 20 solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions. A retrospective of his work was hosted at the Frissiras Museum in 2012. His artworks are part of significant collections, including the National Gallery and the Athens Municipal Gallery.

Christos Pallantzas
Born in Larissa in 1962, Christos Pallantzas studied at ASFA under Dimitris Mytaras, Dimitris Kokkinidis, and Nikos Kessanlis. With a scholarship from the French government, he completed postgraduate studies at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work is marked by a narrative style where dream and reality converge.He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Greece and abroad, with his works included in collections such as the National Gallery, the Florina Gallery, and the Frissiras Museum.

Daphne Angelidou
Daphne Angelidou was born in Athens and studied painting at ASFA under Yiannis Moralis and Dimitris Mytaras, as well as mosaic art under Yiannis Kolefas. Since 1987, she has taught in the Mosaic Department of ASFA. Her work spans painting and mosaics, with 15 solo exhibitions, including a retrospective at the National Archaeological Museum (2013). Her works are part of collections such as the Goulandris Museum in Athens and private collections in Greece and abroad.

Manolis Charos
Born in Kythera in 1960, Manolis Charos studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, earning degrees in painting and printmaking. In 1984, he received the French national award “Prix des Fondations” for lithography, and in 1998, he was honored with the Athens Academy Award. He served as a visiting artist at Princeton University (2000-2001). He has held more than 30 solo exhibitions, with his works included in many international collections, including institutions in the U.S. and Europe.