Tell us about your creative journey and the achievements you hold closest to your heart.
I studied Art History and Theory at the Athens School of Fine Arts and later continued my studies in New York at NYU. A defining moment in my professional journey was my collaboration with contemporary art advisor Aphrodite Gonou, with whom I have worked for the past six years. Through this partnership, I gained invaluable insight into the international contemporary art scene, the management of major private collections, and close engagement with the work of leading contemporary artists.
If I had to single out one achievement that I hold particularly close to my heart, it would be the Thermia Project. This year marks the fifth consecutive edition of our artist residency programme and group exhibition on Kythnos. What moves me most is the trust that artists place in us when they choose to work with the project. Seeing their careers evolve after participating—through new collaborations, exhibitions, and professional opportunities—makes me feel that the Thermia Project has become a meaningful platform for growth and development for many emerging artists. That is perhaps the greatest reward and the achievement I value most.
What does art mean to you, how did you find your place within the art world, and what is the role of an art curator?
During my university years, I began regularly visiting artists’ studios and engaging with the creative process behind the works. It was then that I realised what fascinated me most was working closely with artists themselves—following the evolution of their practice, discovering new voices, and creating frameworks within which their work can be presented, understood, and developed.
For me, art is a form of communication, and my role as a curator is to act as a mediator between artists, artworks, and audiences.
What do you consider your most important accomplishments in this field?
I believe my greatest accomplishment is the trust that artists place in me when we collaborate. The fact that they choose to share their work, ideas, and creative processes with me is the most meaningful validation of my professional journey.
Your name is associated with some of the most important exhibitions and art events. Is art flourishing in Greece today, and how is the public responding to it?
In recent years, we have seen a growing interest in contemporary art in Greece. Major exhibitions, international institutions, and galleries are increasingly turning their attention to the Greek art scene, while many Greek artists are presenting their work abroad and participating in international events. There is a broader sense of openness and a collective effort to strengthen the international presence of Greek contemporary art.
At the same time, I see audiences responding with increasing curiosity and a genuine desire to engage with contemporary art. However, if we want to build a truly sustainable and influential presence for Greek art, both locally and internationally, it is essential to continue supporting artists through funding, infrastructure, and meaningful opportunities for development and visibility.
Do you feel that the Greek public is becoming more educated about and interested in art?
The Greek public is a very broad and complex concept. Through the Thermia Project on Kythnos, we engage with people of different ages and backgrounds, from children and permanent residents to visitors from Greece and abroad.
I believe there is genuine curiosity and a willingness to discover contemporary art. At the same time, there is still significant room to cultivate a deeper and more lasting relationship between audiences and contemporary artistic practice.
Tell us about the new generation of artists striving to make their mark.
There are so many talented young artists working today. Art schools are full of emerging painters, sculptors, performance artists, and multidisciplinary creators eager to share their work and find opportunities to grow.
I believe there is still room in Greece for more initiatives dedicated to supporting young artists. We see many such opportunities abroad, and I think we should invest more attention in creating similar frameworks here, because there is truly an abundance of talent waiting to be nurtured.
What new story does the Thermia Project have to tell this summer?
This year, the Thermia Project focuses on the ways people connect and coexist on Kythnos, exploring those small moments of everyday life that often transform spontaneously into celebrations.
During their month-long residency on the island, the participating artists immersed themselves in local life, drawing inspiration from traditional customs, conversations in cafés, moments in the narrow village streets, local festivals, and music, which remains an integral part of life on Kythnos.
Through their work, they seek to narrate these forms of collectivity and social gathering that continue to shape the island’s identity and cultural character.
How has the project been received in previous years, and how has it evolved both in terms of audience engagement and participating artists?
The Thermia Project began in my family’s home on Kythnos and gradually evolved into a platform that offers emerging Greek artists the time, space, and conditions needed to research, experiment, and create.
Each year, we see growing public interest, with an increasing number of visitors travelling to Kythnos specifically to experience the exhibition.
Equally important is the response from the artists themselves. Many former participants return every summer for the opening of the new exhibition, which, for us, is perhaps the most meaningful sign that genuine relationships have been formed and that a vibrant community has grown around the project.
What place do you think art holds today, and what kind of feedback do you receive from your audience? Do you feel it receives the appreciation it deserves?
I believe that art still does not receive the recognition it truly deserves from the wider public, at least in Greece. It is telling that in cities such as London, museums are filled every weekend with people who are not necessarily professionally connected to the art world, whereas in Greece exhibitions are often attended primarily by those already working within the field.
I think there is still considerable room for art to assume a more central role in our lives. Art is a way of thinking and communicating, which is why it is important to cultivate a relationship with it from an early age.
What have been the brightest moments of your journey, and what is non-negotiable for you today?
One of the most rewarding moments was attending Ioanna Limniou’s first solo exhibition in New York. Our collaboration began in 2023 when she participated in the Thermia Project, and since then we have worked very closely together. I have curated her exhibitions and collaborated with her on various projects, so witnessing her take such an important step and being there to support her was a source of immense joy and pride.
What remains non-negotiable for me are relationships built on trust with artists. I believe the most meaningful collaborations are founded on honesty, consistency, and a shared vision.
Who are the people in the art world who have inspired and supported your professional development?
The artist Antonakis was one of the first people to support me while I was still a student. He entrusted me with his work for the first group exhibitions I curated, something I will always value.
Another key figure is Aphrodite Gonou, with whom I have collaborated for several years. She has supported me both through our daily professional partnership and through my personal initiatives, including the Thermia Project.
Tell us one of your favourite stories.
One of my fondest memories is the very first year of the Thermia Project. With far fewer resources and much less time than we have today, we nevertheless managed to realise the exhibition in Kythnos and create something truly special.
To this day, it remains one of my favourite exhibitions and a moment I remember with great joy and emotion.
Tell us about the collaborations you have developed and how they have evolved over time.
Many of my collaborations began with artists I met at the very start of their careers and continue to this day. Often, I first invited them to participate in the Thermia Project, and new opportunities naturally emerged from there.
Examples include Ioanna Limniou, with whom I have collaborated closely for several years and whose exhibitions I have curated; Konstantinos Mouchtaridis, whose solo exhibition at Kalfayan Galleries I am currently curating; and Antonakis, with whom I frequently collaborate on exhibitions and projects.
For me, it is important that collaborations evolve over time. I am interested in building long-term relationships of trust with artists rather than engaging in one-off projects.
Which artists are currently on your radar?
In addition to those already mentioned, this year’s Thermia Project features Kyveli Zoe, Giannis Malinakis, and Polina Miliou, and I am particularly excited to present their work.
Last year’s participants included Natalia Manta, Iasonas Kampanis, and Eugenia Vereli. There are also many other Greek artists whose work I greatly admire, including Alexandros Simopoulos, Paky Vlassopoulou, and Despoina Charitonidi, among others.
What are your upcoming plans?
My immediate focus is this year’s Thermia Project exhibition, which will take place from 4 to 19 July on Kythnos, as well as the curation of Konstantinos Mouchtaridis’ solo exhibition opening on 12 June at Kalfayan Galleries. Mouchtaridis participated in the Thermia Project residency programme in 2024.
At the same time, my collaboration with Aphrodite Gonou remains a central part of my professional activity, while I am also preparing several new projects in Athens for the coming autumn.
What do you love—and what do you not love—about the art world?
What I love most are the artists themselves and spending time in their studios.
What I find challenging is that the art world can often be quite closed, making it difficult for young people to find their place within it.
What would be your dream project?
Having a space of my own in Athens would perhaps be a dream project for the future.
An exhibition you will never forget?
Louise Bourgeois’ retrospective at the Louisiana Museum in Copenhagen, which I visited while I was still a student. That was the moment I realised I wanted to dedicate myself to contemporary art.
What is your personal definition of beauty?
I find beauty in the honesty and generosity of certain people.
What do you consider authentic today?
To me, authenticity is anything created with sincerity and genuine feeling, without being calculated or driven solely by the pursuit of profit or recognition.
The Thermia Project exhibition, titled Convivial Gestures and curated by Odette Kouzou, will be presented from 4 to 19 July at the Municipal Primary School of Chora, Kythnos.
