titanium contemporary art gallery
MARIA STAMATI HERE IN THE SOUTH
Through her recent work, Maria Stamati chooses to stand up against the world and to comment with a sense of humor, sarcasm, and mostly elegance the actual reality of everyday life in Greece of the economic crisis, the fate of Europe and the political scene.
In this exhibition, the white canvas is replaced by the necktie. However, its usage is not confined to carrying the artist's political commentary. Maria Stamati exploits the symbolically charged nature of this object, and uses it accordingly. In some of the artworks, the necktie represents a strap, a leash; a persistent reminder of how the system holds the wearer by the neck. A leash that in other artworks turns into a noose: from an instrument of control to an instrument of death. Elsewhere, it seems to be embracing the artwork with increased tenderness, bringing to mind its primary function: a gift from the soldiers' wives before heading to war, a symbol of mutual belief that all difficulties and danger will be overcome.
In this exhibition, the white canvas is replaced by the necktie. However, its usage is not confined to carrying the artist's political commentary. Maria Stamati exploits the symbolically charged nature of this object, and uses it accordingly. In some of the artworks, the necktie represents a strap, a leash; a persistent reminder of how the system holds the wearer by the neck. A leash that in other artworks turns into a noose: from an instrument of control to an instrument of death. Elsewhere, it seems to be embracing the artwork with increased tenderness, bringing to mind its primary function: a gift from the soldiers' wives before heading to war, a symbol of mutual belief that all difficulties and danger will be overcome.
