ELLI LESTAS WORK OF ART

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Elli Lestas lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus, formally London where she was born and lived. Having completed her Foundation Course at Ravensbourne College of Design, followed by a BA Degree in Textile Design at Camberwell College of Art, she then worked as a lecturer of Textiles at the London College of Fashion for 6 years Finally she completed her studies at University of London Goldsmiths' College with an MA in Fine Art . Selected group exhibitions in London and UK include the following : Adam Gallery, , Lamont Gallery , Islington Museum Gallery, Goldsmiths College, Association of Illustrators, Café Gallery SE 16, South London Art Gallery, and Churchill library Bromley, in Kent. In Cyprus, group exhibitions include : Kyklos Gallery, Paphos, “Women in Art” En Plo Gallery, Paphos , “Art of Denial”contemporary art exhibition, Paphos, 5th E.KA.T.E members Exhibition in Limassol, “Second Thoughts'' Cyprus College of Art/ Conaro Institute, Larnaca and Blue Iris Gallery Paphos. In 2011 the artist set up a purpose built studio known as ''ROOM for ART” in Coral Bay, Paphos which offers, to date , art classes to adults and children, often hosting exhibitions for both the students and other artists. The art work moves across the disciplines of drawing, making and installation art. Current work embraces a new beginning in art, following on from post-modernism which demanded that language was paramount for the understanding of the visual arts. In opposition to post- modernity, at the same time there was also art work going on that relied on a non verbal language, through painting or other creative processes, which also offered art objects as the end result. Real objects are used which are juxtapositioned against painted or drawn images which is a different proposition altogether from both the post-modern point of working and of a traditional standpoint. The work falls into both camps simultaneously, pertaining to a function but not quite. It is far removed enough to be comfortably 'art' without relying on the context of the gallery. The subject matter has been about seeds and all the implications they present for creating life itself. The exploration of the shapes aims to awaken memories of archetypal shapes that reoccur since the beginning of life. In continuation, life energy and spirit is expressed through drawings and by studies of birds and other creatures.