Return2Ithaca

PRESENTATION

The Photographic Journey of Rea Papadopoulou

REA PAPADOPOULOU

The Photographic Journey of Rea Papadopoulou
Date: 04 SEP 2023
Time: 20.30
Location: Gratsos Institution

The subjects that interest me, and have dealt with in photography, are environmental, land use, landscape conservation issues, the impact of human activity on the landscape, as well as social issues concerning religious educational institutions of the past. My photography projects are long-term, and I usually work on more than one subject at a time. I like to do different things and probably this is an exercise I always put myself to try new themes and forms to see the results. Not everything always works out, but that doesn't really matter. It's important to work, listen carefully to reviews and move on.
First, I see color, then composition and form, elements that architecture has really drilled in me. For this form I do sometimes reconstruct, that is, I make small ... corrections to the spaces, or try to find where I could stage the landscape that will be contemporary and harsh but might also be an imaginary glance to the romantic past topography.  Then there is my huge curiosity that leads to the research about the theme or the land and somehow all this assembles the series. 
Even though my series are based on reality, I don't do documentary photograph. For me photography, especially landscape photography is real when the photographer is in it. Sometimes I see allegories, other times I observe and imagine the historical or the natural succession of landscapes over time. Reality is a very personal thing and not the same for each of us.
 

Meet Rea Papadopoulou, a multi-talented artist, architect, and photographer, with a captivating artistic journey that spans across Greece and the world. Born in Istanbul and raised in Greece from a young age, she currently resides in Athens, where her creative spirit flourishes.

Rea's diverse educational background includes Architecture studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, complemented by a deep passion for photography. She honed her craft through various workshops and theoretical classes at the Fine Arts School of Athens, where she expanded her creative horizons.

With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to exploring critical issues, Rea embarks on long-term photographic projects. Her lens delves into environmental, social, and urban matters, unveiling compelling visual narratives that resonate with viewers.

Rea's exceptional work has been recognized and exhibited in prestigious Greek and International Festivals, such as the Photo Biennale of Thessaloniki Museum of Photography in 2021, AFI at Varese, Italy in 2019, Photometria in Ioannina, Greece in 2015 and 2018, and Encontros Da Imagem in Braga, Portugal in 2017. Notably, her project 'Dark Tree' was a finalist for the esteemed Discovery Award.

Her artistic journey continues with numerous solo and group exhibitions, where her thought-provoking works command attention. Rea's impactful photography has found its way into print and digital editions, further expanding her reach and influence.