A

s an artist, I am driven by the desire to explore the complexities of the human experience through my art. I am particularly interested in exploring themes of spirituality, memory, and cultural identity. The Comboskine project was selected from the European Cultural Heritage on Stage II: Traditions in Transition and it was created during a one-month art residency in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Comboskine project is an expression of my ongoing exploration of these themes. I was inspired by the ancient practice of using tokens as a symbol of remembrance, wishes, and self-reflection. I used the medium of painting and sculpture to create a modern interpretation of this ancient practice, using the rosary as a symbol of the human experience. The final result is a series of small-scale paintings and large anamorphic installations that capture the essence of the object’s form, optics and texture. The project was first presented at Credo Bonum Gallery in Sofia in 2021 and the following year, presented at Municipality of Rafina-Pikermi, D.O.P.A.P.

As art historian Ellie Leventaki writes in her curatorial text, “The Comboskine project is a thought-provoking and visually striking exploration of the relationship between personal and cultural traditions, and the role of art in their preservation and interpretation.”