Kitsa E. Angelakos
Michaela L. Vergottis pleased to represent in London at Old Brompton Gallery's official opening to the public ‘SEARCHING WITHIN’, the first solo exhibition in London by photographer Kitsa E. Angelakos (b.1976).
‘SEARCHING WITHIN’ is inspired by Kitsa’s love and passion for the sea and her interest in colour and perception. All of her works symbolise the connections made between people and the sea, as well as people and ships and ships and the sea. Her attention to detail has enabled her to develop an eye for focal points of interest, such as the light reflecting on the surface of the water. Her gaze goes beyond the superficial, delving deeper into the soul and the subconscious of the sea.
This is where she invites the viewer to identify the sea through abstract forms that relate to its perceived subconscious. The sea is an inexorably endless motion, a source of life. ‘As humans, we are drawn to the sea. It ties us together; gives us energy. It inspires us.’ In creating these series of photographs, we are able to view this phenomenon in new and striking ways.
“Keywords I use, such as ‘Integrity’ and Dignity’ which are two titled works in my series are symbolic and necessary for humankind, for understanding oneself and others, for compassion, for feeling, for SEARCHING WITHIN and bringing out the best in ourselves and in others” as Kitsa states. Ships often symbolise emotions and the subconscious. It is one of the prime means of communication and transport, not only of passengers or cargo, but also of adventures, beliefs, cultures, emotions, experiences and values. Kitsa uses her unique style and techniques to capture these additional dimensions, transcending the limitations of specific settings and parts of ships and the sea. We are thus able to reflect, allowing her images to take us on a journey through space and time and to embrace a sense of universal beauty found in the abstract form.
The intention is to create an emotion but without taking away from the imagination. Her aim, as she described in her own words, “is to allow the viewers’ mind’s eye to invoke the most powerful emotions. A feeling that will touch their body, mind and soul.” Yet at the same time she would like the audience to feel emotionally connected to the moment within the image.
The piece “Unity and Strength”, a very powerful image in this series, is a clear example of how the chain symbolizes the coming together of these two qualities; ‘unity and strength’ is a strong bond of these two notions that pushes the boundaries of what is technically visible in a single photograph.
‘Every shot requires having spirit and experiencing the thrill of witnessing what lies before you'
Illustrated work:
"Unity and Strength"
Limited Edition of 25
Chromolux Metal Print
100 × 66 cm.
Press article: www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2015/04/25/enthusiastic-crowd-at-private-view-evening-hails-photographer-kitsa-angelakos/
Press article:
About
Kitsa E. Angelakos was born in London in 1976. After finishing High School in London at the age of 18, she travelled and worked on board ocean going cargo ships. She worked in a shipping company for 7 years and at the same time studied Shipping at the Business College of Athens. Thereafter she went on to study photography at ”Focus”, School of Art Photography, Video and New Technologies in Athens.
Her career as a photographer began in 2005. In 2006 she volunteered her services at the Ministry of Culture in the photography department, alongside the distinguished photographer Socrates Mavromatis, at the Acropolis and Parthenon site. She has had solo exhibitions: “Journey Through Time, Poros”, Dimarchia Dekatria, Athens, 2007. (Slideshow) “Familiar places and daily ways of the poet Elias Simopoulos”, Benaki Museum, Pireos Building, Athens, 2008. She has also participated in group exhibitions: “Clean Art”, Horizon of Facts, Athens, 2009. “Clean Art”, Ex public slaughterhouses, Athens, 2010. “Iconopiise” Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Athens, 2011. “Chios 1912-2012 - a hundred years of Freedom”, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Athens, 2012. “Into the Blue”, Blender Gallery, Athens 2014. Her works have appeared in auctions: “Seferis Sleeping Woman”, Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel, Athens 2008 and “Fiery and Fiesty”, Athinais Cultural Center, Athens 2014. Her work is also included in the private collections of Pant. Monogioudis, Pan. Tsakos, Adam. Polemis and others. She has donated works to Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) and other charity organizations.