Concept
Cacti is the new theme of D. Konstantinou’s paintings - a subject that is loaded with the prominent significance it imparts to it and the skillful way of processing it with bright colors, purity, detailed drawing and distinct diligence in the depiction of different textures, initially recalling color lithographs of plants and flowers of excellent precision and elegance, illustrated in19th century natural history publications.
With the assemblage of various real species, she finally creates new, fantastic species-mutated cactus hybrids, which monumentally occupy the painting surface, creating a highly dreamlike, metaphysical atmosphere where, with tension and surreal, often playful and subversive mood, the erotic element arises.
With references to the poem "The Loves of the Plants" by the English philosopher, poet and naturalist Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), the works of Despina Konstantinou introduce us to a peculiar, colorful and vibrant, plant world in straight match and strife with the human one, where sexuality holds the leading role.
The cacti are transformed into phallic and pubic symbols, combinations and encounters between them come to convey the impression of immediate physical experience and fleshly contact, to critically approach the stereotypical rivalry of the two sexes, to open themselves to the areas of hermaphroditism, bisexuality and fantasies , to conjure relations of power, manipulation, domination and subordination, to alter allegorically the flooded inner juices on their hard and thorny envelope, to carry the urge of desire, sensuality and the joy of union, to illustrate the feelings of pain and enjoyment, violence and pleasure.
The black color, on the back, reinforced with silver glitter, defines the surrounding space, referring to the universe, the cosmic vacuum, the birth, the mystery of the beginning of creation.
Giannis Bolis
Art historian
