Interview: Milena Dimitrokallis
Luca Curci talks with Milena Dimitrokallis, WINNER of the ARTIST OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2024.

Milena Dimitrokallis is a visual artist based in Athens, Greece. With an educational background in Business (BA Hons) and Management (MSc) from the U.K., followed by studies in Philosophy, and Drawing and Painting in Athens, Milena has cultivated a multifaceted approach to her art. Before turning to painting full-time, she worked in advertising and for the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games Organising Committee, while also managing a privately-owned boutique hotel in Naxos.

Since 2011, she has been systematically engaged in painting, presented her work in 10 solo and over 80 group exhibitions and art projects, in art galleries, museums and contemporary art fairs across Greece and internationally, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, Cyprus, New York, London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Copenhagen, Barcelona, and Tokyo. In 2013, she was awarded first prize at the Mitteleuropa Prix International Art Competition by the Ufofabrik Contemporary Art Gallery in Italy.

She describes herself as an impulsive artist, dedicated to painting what she feels rather than what she sees. Her creative process is both spontaneous and exploratory, with each canvas serving as a space where her mind can roam freely. Milena creates directly on the canvas without preliminary sketches, channelling her inner journey through abstract painting. For her, abstract painting is a form of soul-searching that translates human emotions into vivid colours and shapes using a diverse range of techniques.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Milena Dimitrokallis – Abstract painting symbolizes my inner journey of self-discovery. Each piece I create embodies an ongoing dialogue between my internal world and the external influences that shape my artistic vision. From the very beginning, I felt a deep connection to the freedom that abstraction provides in expressing human emotions through colour and shape and this connection has deepened my love for abstract art and laid the groundwork for my artistic practice. It’s enchanting how each abstract painting reveals new elements and emotions, transforming this exploration into an endless adventure. Abstraction has consistently captivated me with its power to convey complex feelings and ideas through non-representational forms, and over time, through continuous experimentation, I’ve explored how colour, shape, and texture beautifully interact to create compelling visual experiences.

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
MD – When I paint, I see myself as an impulsive artist, driven by the urge to express my emotions rather than merely reproduce what I observe. The canvas becomes a space where my mind roams completely free. I approach each piece with curiosity and openness, creating directly on the canvas without any prior rough sketches. I don’t really follow specific habits or rituals; instead, I embrace a purely exploratory process. My focus is on the spontaneous interplay of colours, textures, and forms, allowing the painting to evolve naturally. For me, it’s less about deliberate intention and more about responding to the moment and discovering new interactions as they unfold.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
MD – Colour continues to play a dominant role in my paintings, as essential to my art as light is to our world. I cannot imagine my work without the vibrant hues that reflect life’s dynamic canvas – from the azure of the day to the deep blue of the night, and the golden hues of the sunset. Nature’s harmonized palette, which exceeds all imagination, deeply influences my soul and consequently my artistic approach. Year after year, I’ve refined my techniques and deepened my understanding of colour’s expressive power, with each hue evoking distinct emotions. So, while my core style has remained consistent, it has evolved through greater refinement and depth rather than a dramatic shift in direction.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
MD – My paintings are primarily inspired by the sun and the sea, expressed through three main series that explore various facets of nature and self-exploration. I’m fascinated by the sun, shining bright or hidden behind clouds, and the sea, whether calm or rough and rugged by the winds. These elements serve as rich sources of inspiration to me, and my work aims to reflect the contrasts and infinite changes found in nature, capturing not just what I see but also the sounds, smells, and feelings these environments evoke. So, I use abstraction to turn these experiences into dynamic compositions that reflect the constantly changing nature of the world. For instance, the Blossom Series draws inspiration from the enchanting colours of spring, presenting a textured, sculptural narrative. These paintings unfold like petals, mirroring the cycle of renewal found in blossoming flora and they symbolize growth and new beginnings, reflecting nature’s grand tapestry during the blooming season.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
MD – I usually begin a painting with a general idea of what I want to explore, such as a particular feeling or atmosphere, like the calmness of ocean colours. This initial idea focuses on capturing a mood rather than detailed planning. As I work, I let my emotions and instincts guide me, allowing the artwork to evolve in a spontaneous and authentic way. For me, this process reveals the fluid and expressive nature of my artistic journey in abstract art.