Page 48 - EMPIRIA 2023

JOYFUL EXPLORATION I SANTORINI

Loukia Thomopoulou believes in the power
of ceramic art while she herself creates
contemporary ceramics that she exhibits in her
Showcasing Ceramic Art page, Women Empowerment, a sculpture from
two venues in Santorini and Athens. Opposite
black stoneware clay by Loukia.

More than just the creator of the Sealed Earth Ceramics Gallery

in Santorini and the Sealed Earth Art Studio in Athens, Loukia
Thomopoulou creates ceramics that are on par with other art forms. showcase them to an international audience. To attract
visitors and artists from different countries and enable
us to promote Greek ceramic art beyond our borders and
to create a wider recognition for it.
What are the reasons that you chose Santorini and
not another island?
Ultimately, choosing Santorini was based on the beauty,
tradition and international prestige of the island, which
also helps in promoting our objective to a global audience.
What lies behind your choice to display ceramic art?
What is your vision for this art medium?
Ceramic art is an extremely expressive and multidimensional
type of art. Combining technical dexterity with creative
expression, it offers unlimited possibilities. My vision
is to be recognized as an important and innovative art
genre both nationally and internationally. This is why my
aim is to promote contemporary Greek ceramics as a
dynamic art form that combines traditional techniques
with contemporary approaches and themes. I want to
spread my love and respect for the material itself and
create a space that will inspire and support both Greek
and international artists. In addition, we are currently
HAVING SPENT years in a corporate professional environment in discussions with a great group about organizing the
and in the field of tourism, Loukia Thomopoulou then first contemporary ceramics biennale in Greece, which
turned to the art of ceramics. A creator of ceramic works represents an important initiative for the promotion of
herself, she has opened the Sealed Earth Ceramics Gallery both our country and ceramic art as a medium.
in Santorini and the Sealed Earth Art Studio in Athens, How has this art form evolved from the past together
where many artists congregate to learn about creating with its utilitarian function through to the present?
visual ceramic art. By speaking exclusively with her, we Ceramic art has a rich history and has evolved significantly
discover a new wondrous world of creativity. from the past until today. Initially, ceramics were mainly
Can you describe something about the experience used for practical purposes, such as vases, household
offered by Sealed Earth Gallery in Santorini? utensils and architectural elements. However, over time,
The gallery is the “salon” of an old 200-year-old Venetian the medium has acquired new dimensions and approaches
mansion in Imerovigli, a space that combines history, whereby artists experiment with various techniques,
art, culture and gastronomy. When you arrive, you using new materials and modern technologies. At the
almost imagine that you’re in another era, that you can same time, the themes have expanded to include the
hear the notes from the piano being played by the lady artists’ personal expressions, social references, narratives
of the house to her fellow diners. The remainder of the and experimentations with space and form as well as
spaces withing the building have been restored and are incorporating elements from sculpture, painting, design
now a beautiful restaurant that has successfully revived and new technologies.
Santorini’s Italian heritage. The vision that we have for ceramic art today is to become
What was your overall objective when you decided to a dynamic expressive art form that combines tradition
create this space on the island of Santorini? with innovation, that becomes recognized globally
Our goal in terms of creating a gallery for contemporary through its dissemination as an equal art medium that
ceramic art is to highlight local artistic ceramics and reflects our times.

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