30 NOV 2023
Words by: Eliza Soufli / Photography: Thanos Tsantas
Studio Visit: Cristina Koutsolioutsou
We visit the inspiration place of the upcoming artist for our new great collab
As I make my way up from the bustling central road, I find myself entering the quieter streets of Kypseli. The three new, vibrant Frogs to Princes notebooks BY Christina Koutsolioutsou were the reason I found myself at first at the Amphicar studio and then in Christina's apartment in Kypseli. There, I meet her, the artist who seeks tropical elements in the city and brings color to the forefront in all her works.
With a warm and inviting smile, Christina welcomes me at the entrance and takes me on an initial tour of the studio space. We settle down in her favorite corner. Glancing around, I can't help but feel like I've embarked on a journey into a tropical landscape. Surrounding me are paintings, cardboard-crafted figures, and a partially finished work on an easel.
During our conversation, Christina frequently brings up the word "chaos." She shares with me her thoughts about life and the profound influence of symbols in her art. I realize how connected she is to her works and wonder how she feels when it's time to let them go. I forgot to ask, but I'll save that for our next encounter...
Let's get to know her!
I'm delighted to be here. Let's dive into this fascinating studio. Could you tell me about when you joined and how many hours you do you spend at the Amphicar studio on average?
Amphicar is a space that primarily hosts emerging artists and is run by Marilia Kolymbiri, a graduate of the School of Fine Arts. I joined relatively recently. Initially, I only spent a few hours there as I was getting accustomed to the space. Now, I try to go almost every day. I haven't moved all my stuff there; there's still a significant part of my art here, in Kypseli, in Fokionos, at my family home, which I've transformed into a gallery-studio.
From the urban neighborhoods of Kypseli, where you grew up, to London for your studies, then a stop in Portugal, and finally back to Greece. Starting with London, how was your experience there?
From a young age, I had a desire to escape, always in a creative sense. The first step towards that was my time studying fine arts at Camberwell College of Arts in London. Two years later, I felt like a part of the city. The university was focused on installations. In my practice, I incorporated several elements from Greece. Specifically, my thesis was an installation made from rusks, which my mother often sent me in bulk because they were lightweight. I ground them down and created a sculpture, really close to arte povera.
I know your journey to Portugal was uniquely interesting. How did you end up there?
My decision to go to Portugal was quite random. I was very interested in art therapy and decided to participate in a European program for volunteer work, where some basic expenses were covered. I lived just outside of Lisbon, by the coast, and worked at a Mental Health Center where I taught an experiential art workshop in Portuguese, so I learned the language in the process.
What do you hold onto from this city?
I definitely hold onto its colors, which have played a significant role in my art, the nature within the city, and especially the sunsets in Lisbon. The colors, the orange and blue hues I saw in all their forms whenever I ventured out to the ocean, I still use them in my artworks.
Let's talk about your brand: @funny_radical_acne_scars. I'd like to know how you came up with the name and, more importantly, what drove the need to communicate with your audience in a different way. I can imagine you in your urban apartment in Kypseli, seeking ways to present yourself differently...
Indeed! I used to be known as "Christina's magic world." I started the brand with scarves and later did a rebranding into "Funny Radical Acne Scars." Essentially, the trigger was an application I submitted to a university for a postgraduate program, where they asked me to describe myself. So, I wondered what I could say about myself. I'm funny, somewhat radical, and have acne scars.
During the lockdown, your very own pop-up store emerged in the heart of Kypseli, at the Municipal Market. How was this experience?
When I returned to Greece from London, I began creating scarves with my own designs. My parents run a tourist business, so that helped. After coming back from Portugal, I told myself, "You need to get back into the game." So, I started painting white hats, white shirts that I found in second-hand stores, and ceramics. Initially, I ran this through Instagram, and it went well. At that time, I saw an open call at the Kypseli Municipal Market for a pop-up store. I rented it for a month at first and filled it up. I rebranded my business to "Funny Radical Acne Scars." Slowly but surely, it became a hub! In the end, I stayed for a year and a half. I really wanted people to interact with my art.
You're quite an adventurous spirit, Christina... What motivates you in art and life?
I work in phases; there are times when I'm fully creative, often combined with travel, clothing production, and anything I can think of. But there are also stagnant phases. There's even a "dark period." During those times, I distance myself from the world, process what's happened to me, reorganize, and then return. Essentially, my darkest side can be found in my writing. I'm inspired by my friends, my interactions, the people around me, the chaos of relationships, Athens, the unpredictable element of each day...
So, are you an observer? Do you seek the small moments in the city?
Yes, very much so. To give you an idea, the route I take from my home in Kypseli to the studio in Galatsi is part of my creative process. If you look around, these cardboard pieces are old boxes of appliances I've found near trash bins. It's like I'm creating a map. I take photos in Kypseli, and look for plants on balconies... I love the contrast in the city. I seek the tropical, the surreal element.
Let's take a closer look at the materials you use. You work with cardboard, paper, canvas, fabric... What's the feeling and freedom each of these materials offers you, and why do you choose them?
Cardboard is a relatively new material for me; I didn't use it in the past, it just came about. I really liked the fact that I could find it, and that gave me a sense of freedom to make mistakes. When it comes to canvas, for example, I handle it more delicately, but with cardboard, not so much. That's why I started using oil pastels again. However, each material speaks to me. The cardboard I find, a shirt, and anything I work on has a history, so I pay attention to where I source my materials.
What are your most powerful influences?
I have a strong connection with music; it always accompanies me while working. I'll mention some composers I listen to a lot while I create: Ali Farka Touré, Gilberto Gil, Tim Maia, Simentera, Caetano Veloso, and, in general, the Tropicalia movement in Brazil from the 1960s is a source of inspiration. An artist from that period who inspires me is Helio Oiticica. I also listen to Hadjidakis a lot. Of course, I have artistic influences from Matisse, Picasso...
Surrealism and color come together and bring forth the "Frogs to Princes," three wonderful notebooks you've curated. How did you come up with these specific designs?
From the beginning of our collaboration, it was clear that despite the chaos within me, we would create something beautiful. For me, it was a really enjoyable game all along. It was a very relaxed collaboration. What I wanted was to highlight the color. The designs are made in Illustrator, so they are digital art. They share some common elements while incorporating some summer elements. But what I mainly wanted was for them to be fun! The vibrant colors, the designs that evoke summer – I wanted people to want to have the notebook with them, to open it up. I take joy in someone having one of my works in their bag. I like that it's such a personal product, and I hope each notebook helps those who acquire it to put their most surreal thoughts on paper.
Bodies play a significant role in your works. Most of the time, it's at the center of your compositions. Different figures in different landscapes... Can you tell us more about it?
There is certainly a self-referential element, and it presents itself depending on how I feel. The masculine and feminine aspects alternate in my life. I'll highlight some elements I feel strongly about, such as my nose, which I've embraced now, whereas I didn't before. "How do I feel today?" that is what I wonder while I paint.
Do you miss traveling?
Yes, it's my dream to have my base in Athens and be able to travel. Right now, I'm heading to an art residency in Serbia, in Belgrade, at Foot Note Residency. I want to explore the common points there might be between the city and Athens and what tropical elements I can find there.
Color dominates your paintings, along with strong connections and symbolism. Is there a piece that represents you the most nowadays?
I'll choose my latest piece which was part of the exhibition at Amphicar, titled "trapped on survival mode." In my works, there is a collective unconsciousness of symbols on repeat, such as the flipper, the palm trees, and some feminine elements. This particular piece describes a state of anhedonia. However, there's the ON/OFF switch up there... I'm trying to create an alphabet of symbols from my paintings. I'm quite influenced by Jung. Through what I do, I search for my inner self. I want to understand what the symbols want to tell me and what I want to convey through them. Many things happen unconsciously, and later, you observe and study them. Especially during the lockdown, I was constantly taking notes of my dreams, processed the symbols I dreamt of, and painted many of them.
Where can we find your work now?
You can find me in two places: at my studio in Kypseli and at the Amphicar studio. Anyone who wants can get in touch with me, meet up, see the works, and have a talk. I'm also getting ready for an exhibition at fAIA, the new space of my friend Nikos Katsabanis in Metaxourgeio, and the theme is Tourism. You can, of course, find my products here at Frogs to Princes, at the Meet Market, soon on the Meet Market e-shop, and, of course, on Instagram.
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