Group show curated by Nicolas Vamvouklis
Light Me Up

The Breeder presents the group exhibition “LIGHT ME UP” featuring works by 14 Greek and international artists: Chioma Ebinama, Ekene Stanley Emecheta, Justin John Greene, Daisuke Ida, Lena Kitsopoulou, Kalup Linzy, Philippe Malouin, Miltos Manetas, Malvina Panagiotidi, Ariana Papademetropoulos, Panos Profitis, Vanessa Safavi, Mamali Shafahi, and Chrysanne Stathacos.

Curated by Nicolas Vamvouklis, this summer show delves into the multifaceted notions of light, beginning with the familiar realm of domestic experience and expanding into emotional and imaginative perspectives. It examines diverse sources of energy that activate and elevate. The exhibition also explores radiance in the context of physical and spiritual journeys, its manifestation through natural phenomena, and its intricate relationship with technology and human creativity.

The works presented bring together personal and collective mythologies, utilizing illumination as a literal, metaphorical, and conceptual element. They underscore the complex interplay between our inner worlds and the external environments we inhabit, illustrating how light influences our existence in both ordinary and unexpected ways. The exhibition also considers light from a philosophical standpoint, emphasizing its role in entertainment and as a sustaining force—a fire that sparks a rhythm and keeps us alive.

Lena Kitsopoulou, one of the most explosive personalities in Greek theater, revisits the iconic crucifix in her own unique style. Known for her deeply personal language, which oscillates between tenderness and harshness, Kitsopoulou creates a provocative sculpture made of wood, ceramics, and colorful bulbs. Her work mixes religious connotations with desire, offering a bold reinterpretation of traditional symbols.

Kalup Linzy challenges ideas of gender while embracing a wide range of pop cultural forms. His polaroids introduce us to Paula Sungstrong, one of the latest additions to his fictitious Queen Rose family tree. This work follows her dazzling star quality into the musical realms of blues and jazz, transporting viewers to an earlier era through Linzy’s evocative portrayal.

Shot on Milos island, the film “Voyage to Venus” by Ariana Papademetropoulos builds its narrative around the Venus de Milo statue and the predominant force of nature. The artist, as a Nereid holding a candelabrum, floats in a bed in awe among coastal landscapes and the dark, abyssal caves of the Aegean, instead of ordinary domestic settings.

Ekene Stanley Emecheta begins each of his paintings by intentionally eliminating the skin color of his protagonists, who are figures of African descent. Over this base, he meticulously frames the subject’s posture and characteristics. “In Bed with Phone II” plays with the concept of (in)visibility, capturing a moment of relaxation shared between a man and his digital companion, a smartphone.

The relationship between humans and modern consumer electronic devices is central to the work of Miltos Manetas. His paintings often depict masses of computer cables or individuals deeply engrossed in their screens, oblivious to the world around them. These images illustrate the paradoxical sense of interconnectivity and isolation that the internet can create.

Mamali Shafahi employs the term “Phantasmagoria” to describe his perception of contemporaneity, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur in the realm of entertainment. He translates the almost naïve characters of his father’s drawings into a flocked epoxy hand-sculpted face in the shape of a candle, offering an escape into fantasy while also paying tribute to Persian heritage.

The immersion into new dimensions is also evident in the marijuana paintings of Chrysanne Stathacos, celebrating the healing properties of the plant. The artist performs alchemical gestures to build layered surfaces, directly printing marijuana leaves on gessoed canvas with silkscreen and oil painting. Spirituality has long informed her practice, and the mystical depictions of nature lend themselves to a shamanistic interpretation.

“The Mornings Grow Silent III” by Malvina Panagiotidi spins hypnotically at the center of the space, weaving together narratives of memory. The blown glass catches the light, casting delicate hues that create a mesmerizing atmosphere. This enchanting sculpture, part of her ongoing research into the metaphysical, explores the body’s placement, both human and non-human, within its surroundings.

The intimacy of the somatic is a recurring theme in Vanessa Safavi’s work, exemplified by her textile sculpture “The Unformed Perfection of Gelatinous Things are the Fluids of Human Sensibility.” The softness of her materials relates to femininity and serves as a metaphor for the depth of the human psyche, both tangible and mental.

In contrast, Philippe Malouin utilizes steel, primarily sourced from scrap yards, to create works that balance between craftsmanship, sculpture, and industrial design. The show features a series of furniture pieces, including a lamp, a table, and a chair, fostering an intriguing conversation between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality in an innovative manner.

For the first time in Greece, Japanese artist Daisuke Ida presents his video “IKAROS.” This piece reflects on the mythical figure who dared to conquer the skies, documenting the unexpected in the launch of a hot air balloon. As it begins its ascent, the balloon takes on sculptural qualities, addressing themes of chance, power resources, and human intervention.

His work is in dialogue with Chioma Ebinama’s “Fantastic Forest,” where drawing is explored as a meditative practice. Using watercolor and coffee on handmade paper, Ebinama narrates a universal story about how we collectively navigate our habitat. Her unique perspective emphasizes the dynamics between species in a circular movement.

The Feeder’s yard hosts “Fluttering Spirit,” an aluminum lamp by Panos Profitis, designed in the form of a flying bird. Drawing from mythology, folklore, and political iconography, the bird serves as a powerful symbol, representing the relationship between human and animal societies. It is also an omen of good luck and peace.

Finally, the world of Justin John Greene features familiar yet uncanny characters that merge illusion with reality. “Pepi” stands at the threshold, at the entrance or exit of the exhibition space, embodying a sense of mystery. This figure symbolizes a rupture between the inside and outside, depicted as a mythical realm with archetypes from the artist’s life, seamlessly blending with the architecture of the gallery.