Interview with Christina Michalopoulou

Christina Michalopoulou: “An artwork ends when leaving me exhausted, when I am not in love anymore”

Interview to Sissy Sigioultzi-Rooka, Philologist, Writer, member of the Union of Journalists Periodical & Electronic Press NWE, Radio Producer at radio1d.gr and President of the”Greek Cyprus Cultural Association”

 

A paragraph about myself

I returned to painting after a long 10 years hiatus. Art came back into my life in 2007, shyly, like an infant, and led to the creation of Happyrooms.gr, the company I still own with handpainted, handcrafted baby & baptism goods. After a while, our relationship became stronger and now is a raging river that sometimes leads to waterfalls and sometimes to stagnant waters. Nowadays, painting defines me, the most unexpected journey of my life.

My inspiration

Bodies, skin texture, how it ages and how time is written on it, a gentle touch, human contact, a certain point where our flesh becomes a feeling, a story, a memory.

My medium

Acrylics, oil and canvas

My Technique and Style

Sometimes, I focus on the detail, the exact, the obsessive where paint becomes a holding breath and brushes are dry and stiff and, sometimes, I am literally attacking the canvas with large brush strokes and dripping liquids, to relieve my tense.

When does an artwork end?

I know it has come to an end, when leaving me exhausted, when I don’t feel like being in love with it anymore.

How important is naming your artworks? How do you choose a name?

Sometimes, the titles are playful and sometimes they just underline the concept. In my latest series “female project” titles were important, a part of the theme, but other times it simply confirms the viewer’s suspicions

Why did you choose art in your life?

Because it makes me feel good, it helps me confront my fears, it makes me feel strong