Despina Symeou

I was born in London and am of Greek Cypriot heritage. London is the city where I live and work.
From the start, drawing and painting from life have been my focus. However, recently I have been questioning my subject matter and how I want to convey it.

Nudity is not the principal message, but rather the narrative of the flesh is the story of our individual identities, emotions and lives.
We are all collective in this experience, and yet confront these issues uniquely within ourselves, which is something I explore from my own perspective.

Conventionally nude art is modestly hung in the bedroom. My aim is to change the sub text for all who care to enjoy and identify with the figurative image.

By showing these works, I hope to shift perceptions and play a role in changing age-old attitudes regarding the female nude while simultaneously celebrating womanliness.

Barnet College Art Foundation specialising in Life Drawing and Printmaking followed by a B.A Hons degree from Middlesex University 1984

After exploring many forms of printmaking, Despina found mono printing to be the most expressive and painterly.

The ink is applied to a metal plate in much the same way as paint to a canvas but then goes through a second transformation through the press.
The texture and depth of colour easily led Despina back to painting with oils and acrylics. Both mediums have their own personality which lends itself beautifully to the emotions bought out by the figurative works that fuel her passion.

Life drawing is the key to Despina’s art practice. She begins with charcoal, then layers tonally with pastels. These studies have a raw and sensual quality and the works on paper offer another dimension to her figurative portraiture.

Exhibitions

Up coming 2022 exhibitions and events -

The Other Art Fair - 30th June-3rdJuly

Inspire -DContemporaryGallery,Mayfair,London
7th July- 15th July

The Brick Lane Gallery, London - 19th - 31st July

Past Exhibitions
2010
Skin Shapes – solo exhibition of paintings from the model
The Britannia Centre London. March 2010
Open Art Exhibition at The Britannia Centre London. November 2010



2012
Member of The Printmakers Council.
The Printmakers Council at The RK Burt Gallery, London
Proof Perfect at The Framers Gallery, London

2013
Photographics at Great Western Studios, London.
Highgate – A Reflection in Print at The Highgate Literary
Society & Scientific Institute
Mini Print Internacional De Cadaques, Spain.

2014
The Bainbridge Open at The Embassy Tea Gallery.
National Print Exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London
CYMK at The Pie Factiory, Margate.
Art In The Cypriot Community at The Britannia Centre, London.

2015
Works On Paper at The Barbican Library, London
The Maritime Exhibition at The Mall Gallery. London
The Hampstead Affordable Art Fair, London.
Fifty:Fifty at The New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey
50 years of Artists Prints at Banksi...