Georgia Aeraki: an original and innovative idea

It's impressive how a single story can inspire such diversity through different mediums! Visual artists from around the world are taking part in WHISTLE project, in an attempt to present a multi-sensory experience never attempted before in the Greek visual art scene. And that's because we do not think of visual art as an experience that when viewed fades away, but as an excuse, a triggering event, a reason to produce an artistic conversation and a literal dialogue with everyone interested. This is the way we feel visual art should work.

In this article we feature the works (and works) of painter Georgia Aeraki...



Why did you deside to be part of WHISTLE project?

The main reason I came "closer" to WHISTLE project and wanted to be part of its' creative team was the idea of presenting a single story through multiple art forms.

Apart from the fact that I found this idea original and innovative, I felt it was totally identical in my own way of expression. Besides, through several projects of mine, I find the tendency for stage / theatrical representation, while my way of promoting my work in social media clearly shows my love for the use of mixed media.

"Whistle" for me was an opportunity to introduce my work in a wider audience, in Greece and abroad. The project intrigued me because of its innovation and the way it matched my cinematic, theatrical elements.

To start working on a piece, "to fall into the trap of painting", I have to find something that will spark interest.



How do you process an artwork?

When there is a specific project, I begin by studying all the elements associated with it, I find the features that intrigue me and I start to build, in my mind, a puzzle of ideas, messages, combinations, colors, etc. When I feel it has been completed in a theoretical level, , I go to the next stage of the creative process, that is finding the right materials, followed by the first stage of experimentation with them.

Sometimes I draw the entire work from the beginning, on canvas and other times I pass directly to the color giving, through it,  figures or shapes which I gradually finish letting my need for expression to drift me, not knowing exactly what I want to reach. When I feel that I do not need to add anything else, I consider my work complete.

My main concern is my projects to have something of 'me', to give what I really am . This way I can convince the audience of my works' quality.



Your influences?

In my works I try to convey, through the skill of my hands, what the mind sees and what the soul feels. There are influences from many painters (domestic and foreigners) which I think cannot be distinguished because this comes subconsciously. I draw inspiration from anything that can touch my soul. From a beautiful landscape, a poem, a beautiful picture in a magazine, a song, even from modern artistic trends such as Street Art.

How about trends?

In my works, there is a need for personal "expression". I like internal search and render that through my paintings. Strong colors and aggressive forms in some works indicate an expressionist tendency. In some others, I simply try to pass a message through a synthesis of elements beyond logic, elements that find  me in complete correspondence with the value of surrealism.

Also, in my works, there is often the tendency of "stage representation" distinguished by the narrative approach as a means of rendering a story / message I want to express.




What techniques did you use?

The usual techniques I use are acrylic paint and oil paint on canvas. Sometimes I will work on paper with ink and other times use collage.

In works that I use acrylic paints, I use the Impasto technique (a technique uses thick layers of paint). I give my works a three-dimensional feel and relief texture. Depending on the needs of the project I mix the colors directly on the canvas, but keep as usual practice the admixture on the palette.
There is a tendency to discover combinations of materials so I use various materials in my works, such as gold leaf, candle, wood sheets, treated concrete etc.


All the works created for WHISTLE project by Georgia, will be available to the public during the transmedia exhibition.

Georgia Aeraki was born in 1976 in Heraklion, Crete. Coming from an artistic family, painting came as a natural continuation of her life. She studied for four years at the atelier of the internationally renowned painter Botis Thalassinos, where she was taught, among other things, the pastel technique and the currents of Impressionism and Surrealism.
   
Painting always followed her in her life as a means of creative expression, dynamic representation, and as the most appropriate means of externalizing her instincts and beliefs.

Her works depict, in a combined way, representations of everyday life, experiential thoughts and memories recruited by the subconscious.


Find Georgia at FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, SAATCHIART