Stella Kapezanou is a Greek visual artist composing complex, ironic, colourful and often bizarre paintings which draw their inspiration from capitalistic western societies and materialistic lifestyles. Her latest solo show ‘Single’s Party’ opened at The Edit Gallery in Limassol, Cyprus. On this occasion, she talks about her biggest challenges as an artist as well as her methods and inspirations. 

Describe your practice/profession with 5 words. 

Free | Independent | International | Competitive | Unlimited

What would you say your favorite thing is about what you do? And what would you say is the most challenging?

I love working alone! I very much enjoy my alone time in the studio.
Managing and trying to find balance between the long working hours, family life and personal life is quite challenging…

What does your work aim to say? And how does your work comment on current social issues?

To me, it is the people I depict that add darkness and complexity to the cheerful tone of my paintings. The contrast between the stylized, high-impact representation of the setting and the ordinary people participating in the western consumer dream, represent a commentary and raise questions on western society and its social fabric.

What’s your method of working?

I usually take pictures with my camera/cell phone, whatever’s handy at the time. Also,  sometimes I collect images from magazines that catch my eye. I frequently use patterns from my childhood memories, such as my grandmother’s bed sheets or tablecloths. I only focus on very particular parts of them and I use elements form my imagination on the same theme. I paint the details from memory. When I begin to work on the blank canvas, I only have a vague idea of what I’m going to do. I add all the extra elements during the process, according to what I feel that the painting itself is asking me to add. 

Who are your biggest influences?

Manet, Eric Fischl, Tatler magazine, LA