Who is artist Leda Alexopoulou? Share with us a few things about you and your work in general.
I am a visual artist from Greece based in Athens and in Crete. My art practice includes painting, sculpture, ceramics, design objects, land art and the use of both conventional and unconventional material. I like to explore the boundaries of art and creative processes as well as the enduring and complex relationship between nature and human existence. In my work, I frequently observe and imitate nature and its creative processes in an attempt to come up with answers. To that end, I work both in the safe space of my studio as well as outdoors, in a more challenging and unsafe natural environment, where I can derive immediate experience, inspiration and stimuli.
What was your reaction when you heard that you were awarded?
There were so many participants and the level was so high, that I was not really expecting it! Of course I was super thrilled when they announced my name as a finalist. It was a big honor and I wish to thank the team of the Laranca Biennale 2020/21 for inviting me!
Tell us a few words about your awarded work.
Do you want a piece of me? is a land art project that examines the interplay of nature, human existence and possession by focusing on rocks.It is an actual imprint of rocks by the sea in the island of Crete and was created with the method of rubbing charcoal on handmade paper. The rock stands for continuity: that piece of our native land, our home, that we cherish in our memories, especially when we are homesick. For people displaced from their homes due to war, poverty or climate change, the idea of (re)creating rock-hard foundations in distant land is paramount. I thought about how by capturing the imprint of a rock in one’s birthplace and transposing it on a rock in one’s newly adopted country or land, one could preserve a piece of home, a piece to remember and possess; ultimately, a self-picture.
What was your overall impression about Larnaca Biennale 2021?
I believe the team of the Biennale did a wonderful job. The selected works came from different practices so one can see the diversity of expression in contemporary art. The level was super high. All three exhibiting spaces were within a few meters walk from each other, a fact that made it super easy for anyone that was not familiar with the city.
A message you would like to send to artists that will apply in the future for participation in the Larnaca Biennale.
I believe they should apply with work that is honest and pioneering, and play with new materials and ideas. The team of the Biennale are open minded people, some of them are artists themselves and have a genuine love for art and artists. I believe it is a very promising international art event that will earn a special position in the global art scene.
