The work of Maria Ikonomopoulou (b. 1961 in Kalamata, Greece) consists of long-term processes that explore topics related to the fundamental question of balancing the collective and the individual. Her practice often addresses notions of growth—both literal and metaphorical—as well as the concept of care, encompassing both nurturing and concern for the environment.
The economic crisis of recent years in her homeland, Greece, has significantly influenced her thinking. Beyond the political aspects, she is particularly drawn to how people share space as citizens (polites) within the structure of a city (polis).
Her artistic activity encompasses commissions for public spaces, which involve collaborative processes with participants; studio-based creations developed in solitude; and public interventions. These three practices complement and inform one another. She employs a wide range of methods and materials in her work, with a strong preference for photography and time-intensive techniques inspired by folk art traditions, such as embroidery on textiles and intricate paper cutting. The artist lives and works in Rotterdam.
Education
1992 - 1993 CPDB course, Teaching Degree in Art Education, Amsterdam
1987 - 1991 Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam
1985 - 1987 Free Academy of Fine Arts, The Hague
SELECTED Solo/Duo exhibitions
2023
Lovely Limitations, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Brussels (BE)
Alteration #3, Editions Populaire, Antwerp (BE)
2022
RETOUR Verhalenhuis Belvédère, Rotterdam (NL)
2020
To-Date, co-curated by Gelly Gryndaki, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Knokke (BE)
Anthology, book launch and exhibition, Walgenbach art & books, Rotterdam (NL)
2019
Fragments 2013-2019 übergangsweise # 8, Goethe-Institute, Rotterdam (NL)
2017
School Etymology public intervention during Documenta 14, Athens (GR) - Kassel (DE)
syn[chrono]sides Hellenic Centre, Anastasia Mina | London (GB)
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
(Forthcoming) Art Antwerp, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Antwerp (BE)
VR | collection Ruijs, Nairac Museum, Barenveld (NL)
On the Sea of my Tttttongue, curated by Caterina Stamou, Gramma_Epsilon Gallery, Athens (GR)
Paper Positions Berlin Art Fair, Commeter gallery, Berlin (DE)
2023
Eleonas ’23 – Chthonian and Anthropocene, curated by Dimitris Trikas, Athens (GR)
Buddies '23, Herenplaats, Rotterdam (NL)
Repetitions II, Citronne Gallery, Athens (GR)
2022
This a half bath. Sculptures, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Brussels (BE)
Art Brussels, Mulier Mulier gallery, Brussels (BE)
2021
Textile Biennale - Food for Thought, Rijswijk Museum (NL)
INTENS, Arwe Gallery, Gouda (NL)
2020
Hypnagogia, Nitra gallery, Athens (GR)
Bright Days Ahead-artists of the gallery Commeter Gallery, Hamburg (DE)
2019
Art Thessaloniki, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Thessaloniki (GR)
2018
30 years, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Knokke (BE)
2017
Women's Methodology, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Knokke (BE)
PUBLIC/PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Bank of Greece, Athens (GR)
One&Only Resort, Kea island (GR)
RIZIV National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance, Galilei-building, Brussels (BE)
Meermanno Museum, The Hague (NL)
EMST National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (GR)
FKP Collection, Athens/Nafplion (GR)
Greek State Museum, Thessaloniki (GR)
Irene Panagopoulos Collection
LUMC Collection Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden (NL)