ALMA Gallery proudly presents the group exhibition 21’ of Friends organised and curated by the renowned artist and emeritus professor of the Athens School of Fine Arts, Michalis Manousakis. The gallery will display the work of 9 acknowledged Greek artists.

Marios Spiliopoulos,
The Highest Form,
mixed media,
21 x 30 cm,
2016

The exhibition deals with the concept of friendship on the occasion of the national Anniversary of the 200 years from the Greek Revolution. Michalis Manousakis presents the works of his artists- friends intertwined with objects from his personal collection of toys and photographs dating from 1860 to 1890.

Tassos Mantzavinos,
Demon Karagiozis,
acrylics on wood,
35 x 50 cm,
2021

These collectible items portray the celebration of the national anniversary of 1821 and include photos from school holidays, dolls of evzones etc. recalling the memory not only of the historical occasion of the Greek Revolution but also of a bygone childhood and of friendship that withstood the test of time..

Tassos Missouras,
Phoenix,
acrylics and oil on canvas,
105 x 171 cm,
2021

Aggelos Antonopoulos

Can we rewrite the history of past faces and events, notwithstanding inherent stereotypes and consolidated perceptions of those? To what extent can we shift the fundamental axis of the canonical historical narrative? Could art provide subversive new notions in the discourse of historical accuracy? Is it possible to trigger chronologically inconsistent encounters with people from the past? Could we be the witnesses of such encounters? Through his artwork Three Steps, Aggelos Antonopoulos attempts exactly that..

Aggelos Antonopoulos,
Three Steps,
mixed media,
190 x 50 cm,
2021

Aggelos Antonopoulos,
To the Anonymous,
mixed media,
100 x 40 cm,
2021

Yiorgos Avgeros

East and West. Classical Antiquity and Contemporary Greece. Philhellenes Anti-Hellenes. Were klephts thieves? Official hierarchy and people’s priests. Was the secret school real? Would we still be an independent state should it have not been for the Navarino naval battle? Did we go from the Medieval times and feudalism straight to Modernity? Are we contemporary or do we still live in a pre-Romantic time?

Yiorgos Avgeros,
1821-2021,
dry pastel on paper,
110 x 88 cm,
2021

Yiorgos Avgeros,
Call to Arms,
dry pastel on paper,
40 x 33 cm,
2021

Yiorgos Avgeros,
Parliament 2021,
dry pastel on paper,
50 x 36 cm,
2021

Michalis Manousakis

On the one hand the memories of the 200 years from the Greek revolution of our ancestors and on the other my friendships from almost 50 years ago. I wanted to celebrate both with dear friends I grew up with and continue to grow together through painting. (There are many more friends but unfortunately we do not all fit). A small celebration with toys, painting, sculpture, photos and the beauty of friendship, to close the year 2021 with hopes for the best yet to come. On the gallery's sidewalk, with a glass of wine in hand, everyone fits.

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends I,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends II,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends III,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends IV,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends V,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends VI,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends VII,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
'21 of Friends VIII,
drawing on paper,
21 x 30 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
Conquest,
acrylics and charcoal on wood,
50 x 70 cm,
2021

Michalis Manoussakis,
Like a Blessing,
acrylics and charcoal on wood,
50 x 70 cm,
2021

Marilena Zampoura

Through the passage of the monument for the Heroes of 1821, in Pedion tou Areos where we used to play as children, to the National Parades, and our two group exhibitions of 1994 and 2005, the celebrations in honor of the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution never ceased to intrigue us as a subject for further artistic exploration and commemoration of our own heroes. However, the question remains: What are the implications of the liberation and the creation of the newly formed Modern Greek state in the 19th century?

Marilena Zampoura,
The Broken Canon,
mixed media,
37 x 64 x 8 cm,
2021

Marilena Zampoura,
Water of the spring and the sea,
mixed media,
58 x 72 x 5 cm,
2021

Download Exhibition Catalogue