Katerina Tsitsela’s artistic journey spans both painting and engraving, offering a deep dive into the complexities of human emotion and perception. Her work moves beyond the traditional idea of landscapes, instead portraying what she calls “internal landscapes” or the “landscapes of the human soul.” These pieces are rich with introspection, filled with moments of darkness, yet pierced by beams of light that hint at hope or revelation. The figures within her paintings are central to this tension, embodying the existential struggles that we all face. Tsitsela’s focus is on revealing truths that exist beyond the physical world, with each canvas becoming a space where emotional and material worlds collide. By employing natural materials such as cement, she adds texture and weight to her work, making each piece feel alive with the emotional energy she pours into it.
Light and Darkness: A Visual Conflict
Tsitsela’s paintings are a visual battle between light and dark. The dark atmospheres in her work create a sense of unease, but the light that breaks through offers a glimpse of hope or clarity. This tension mimics the internal conflict many people experience as they grapple with understanding themselves and their emotions. The balance between light and shadow becomes an ongoing narrative within each painting, giving the viewer a chance to witness the fragile nature of clarity amidst chaos.
The figures she paints are often half-hidden, emerging from the shadows. They are symbolic of the parts of ourselves that remain unseen or suppressed. Rather than being passive, these figures seem to engage with the viewer, creating a dynamic exchange that invites introspection. In this way, her art allows for a personal connection between the viewer and the subject matter, encouraging them to confront their own inner struggles.
Texture and Process
One of the most distinctive aspects of Tsitsela’s work is the raw, textured quality she brings to her canvases. By incorporating materials like cement, she creates surfaces that feel rugged and uneven, mirroring the emotional landscapes she seeks to explore. Her bold use of color and rough, dramatic brushstrokes enhance this effect, providing a visual and tactile experience that draws the viewer into the physicality of the work.
The earthy tones she favors—deep browns, greens, and blacks—give her paintings a grounded, almost primal feel. These colors are not just a reflection of nature but are also infused with the weight of human emotion. The occasional bursts of bright color, such as yellows or whites, serve as a break in the tension, moments of brightness that cut through the otherwise heavy atmospheres she creates. These moments of light are fleeting, but they carry significant emotional impact, representing clarity or realization in an otherwise turbulent emotional landscape.
The Viewer’s Role
Tsitsela’s work is not designed to be comforting or straightforward. Instead, her paintings ask the viewer to engage with their complexity. The figures within her work don’t offer solutions, but they embody the ongoing struggles we all face. The interplay of light and shadow, combined with the tactile, rough quality of her materials, creates an environment where the viewer must wrestle with their own perceptions and emotions.
The figures she paints, while often obscured, invite viewers to project their own narratives onto them. They are open to interpretation, allowing each person to see something unique in the work.
Material and Gesture
Recently, Tsitsela has expanded her exploration of materiality, using larger canvases and incorporating more natural materials. This shift has allowed her to focus even more on the process of creation itself. For her, the act of painting is a physical gesture, a way of expressing her internal world through movement and texture. The materials—whether cement, canvas, or natural pigments—become an integral part of the narrative. They bear the marks of her process, giving the final piece a sense of history and presence.
Tsitsela’s paintings are not just representations of ideas; they are physical remnants of her creative process. The gestures, the movement, and the energy that go into creating each piece are embedded in the final work. This focus on process aligns with her broader exploration of the self and the tension between clarity and chaos. Her paintings are, in a sense, a physical manifestation of the emotional journey she embarks on with each piece.
Conclusion
Katerina Tsitsela’s work is an invitation to explore the inner self through the lens of light, shadow, and texture. Her use of natural materials, combined with her exploration of human perception and emotion, creates pieces that are both raw and reflective. The tension between darkness and light mirrors the struggles we all face in our search for clarity and self-understanding. Through her work, Tsitsela encourages viewers to look inward, to grapple with their own internal landscapes, and to find meaning in the balance between chaos and order.
