The Sophia Laskaridou Museum – Kallithea Municipal Art Gallery, in Athens, is set to host a striking solo exhibition by acclaimed painter and printmaker Manos Ioannidis. Titled Faces & Bodies, the show runs from Sunday, September 14, to Sunday, September 28, 2025.
At its core, the exhibition is a visual narrative of face and body, gaze and silence, desire and memory. Iconic figures from cultural history—such as Maria Callas, Mona Lisa, and Sophia Laskaridou—are reimagined in bold pop-art styles, rich in vivid color and handcrafted techniques.
Some works shimmer with gold engravings on black plexiglass, while others take form as wood carvings. Alongside them, a series of painted and engraved nudes creates a dialogue between individuality and the universality of the human figure.
A Tribute to Sophia Laskaridou
A highlight of the exhibition is a trio of works dedicated to Sophia Laskaridou, created especially for the museum and destined for its permanent collection. The pieces honor the pioneering artist who became the first Greek woman admitted to the Athens School of Fine Arts, breaking boundaries with courage and vision.
The materials themselves—canvas, engraved plexiglass, sheets of gold—intensify the drama of light and shadow. In Ioannidis’s hands, art becomes not just an image but a physical, sensory encounter. The exhibition is accompanied by a bilingual curatorial essay (Greek/English) written by Professor Manos Stefanidis.
About the Artist
With roots in Asia Minor and family ties to Thessaloniki, Manos Ioannidis has carved his path across the Greek and international art scene. His practice spans painting, engraving, and experimental media, often drawing from ancient Greek scripts, pop culture, and contemporary environmental concerns—bridging tradition with today’s universal anxieties.
His work has been exhibited in major cultural centers including Istanbul, Milan, Smyrna, and Athens, and belongs to both public and private collections, such as the Katsigras Museum and the Laskaridou Museum itself. His accolades include international recognition from UNESCO (2022), WBAF/G20 (2024), and Who is Who International (2025).
