The Art Collection at Rena Papaspyrou’s 1st solo exhibition in Britain

The Alpha Bank Art Collection is participating in the exhibition “Rena Papaspyrou. Images Through Matter” with the piece:

• Magical rooms. Images through Matter and Extensions, 1985, detached wall surface and mixed technique 213 x 260 cm

The exhibition is hosted by the Hellenic Centre in London. It's the 1st solo presentation of Rena Papaspyrou's work in the UK. It features a total of 20 works, including sketches, sculptures and archive material, reflecting the artist's course over the last 50 years. The works were selected in consultation with the artist herself.

Aim of the exhibition

The exhibition aims to highlight Rena Papaspyrou’s decisive contribution to post-war Greek art. At the same time, it offers the public in the British capital an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the artist's work in a space so closely linked to her homeland and recognised as a reference point for Greek culture in Britain.

A great artist of the post-war period

Rena Papaspyrou was born in Athens in 1938. Between 1956 and 1963 she studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Yiannis Moralis. After her graduation, she continued her studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1978 she began teaching at the Athens School of Fine Arts. From 1993 to 2005, she served as the Director of the 3rd Painting Workshop. She was the 1st woman to ever occupy this position. Since 2006, she has been a professor emeritus.

Images made out of urban materials

As a conceptual artist, Rena Papaspyrou has deeply explored the possibilities of matter and drawing. In her works, she uses findings and ready-made materials exclusively from the urban environment, including:

• Wall fragments
• Wood and sheet metals
• Asphalt and mosaic tiles

With each respective material as a starting point, she creates associative images inspired by them. Her intention is for her compositions to serve as fields that spark the viewers’ memory and imagination.

Papaspyrou in the Alpha Bank Art Collection

The Alpha Bank Art Collection also features the work Baalbeks. (Images through Matter and Extensions) by Rena Papaspyrou. The work was presented at the “Strong in Time” exhibition hosted by the Contemporary Art Museum of Crete.

The Hellenic Centre in London

The Hellenic Centre was founded in 1994 and is located at Marylebone, in the heart of the city. It aims to promote cultural relations and exchanges between the UK, Greece, Cyprus and all the Greek-speaking world. Through collaborations with artists, academics and cultural practitioners, it hosts various events, such as talks, film screenings, exhibitions, concerts and dance performances.