Markidis Christos (1954)

Born in Drama in 1954, he studied at the ASFA from 1974 to 1979, painting under D Mytaras and P Tetsis and fresco under K Xynopoulos. He went on to Paris to work and pursue open studies (1982-1983). In 1985-1988 he worked on specific art projects in Greece on a Greek state scholarship. From 1987 to 2013 he taught drawing and colour at the Vakalo School. He presented his early visual propositions at a young age in Drama, in 1972. His first complete solo exhibition was held in 1984 at the Nees Morfes Gallery. His dominant subjects—portraits, the human figure in many variations and still lifes—are established early on and recur regularly throughout his career. Special emphasis is given to the relation of the figure with space and to the emotional charge of the face. The frequent use of dark tones and the overall processing of colour accentuates the symbolic or metaphysical role of light and creates a suggestive atmosphere with clear references to forms of artistic tradition. His recent work (Thanassis Frissiras Gallery, 2007) comprises full-bodied figures reminiscent of Byzantine icons, elliptically drawn with just the face pronounced and with the intense gaze of the Fayum portraits. Also active in printmaking, he has designed covers for books, magazines, records and CDs, theatre programmes, corporate trademarks, wine labels, etc. In addition to his art he has been prolific in writing: from 1992 to 2004 he contributed texts to magazines, and has published six poetry collections and two collections of essays. He has presented his work in 13 solo exhibitions and over 80 group shows in Greece and abroad, including: Mediterranean Youth Biennale (Marseilles, 1985); 4th Contemporary Portrait Triennial – Radom ’87 (Radom, Poland 1987); The Vlassis Frissiras Collection-Contemporary Painting (Pieridis Gallery, Athens Municipal Cultural Centre, 1991), Greek Art and Collections (Benaki Museum, 1999); Painting ΙΙ: European artistic affinities 1980-2000 (Frissiras Museum, 2014), etc. His works can be found in private and public collections.