Page 49 - EMPIRIA 2023
P. 49

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.


 48                                                                                                        49
   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54