Tinos has been for me a perennial source of inspiration.
This majestic Greek island is a shining jewel of the Cycladic cluster in the Aegean Sea. In antiquity, it floated serenely on Homer’s waters under the resonant and evocative names of Ophiussa and Hydroessa.
My personal journey as an artist started there, by coincidentally noticing a vintage photo thrown on the floor of a photo shop. I asked if I could purchase it, and thus it travelled with me back to my home in Brussels.
It mesmerised me and somehow propelled me into my creative endeavours.
This summer I decided to exhibit my work in this beloved insular birthplace of my art. It is a tribute of gratitude, and it feels like a return – I have been dreaming about it for a very long time.
Its air, the sea, the flowers, the land and the poetry of Giorgos Seferis led me to this decision.
I am going to present 32 artworks in this exhibition.
The title is “Jasmine Dreams”, inspired by a poem by Giorgos Seferis (the prominent and Nobel prize winning Greek poet, one of the most important ones of the 20th century).
Below is the quote from his poem ‘The Jasmine’, which touched me deeply enough to tune my entire exhibition to its lingering echo…:
“Whether it’s dusk
or dawn’s first light
the jasmine stays
always white”.
