Despina Kyriacou
Biography
My journey began with a childhood fascination, an innate pull toward drawing, and a keen observation of my surroundings. This early curiosity laid the groundwork for a vision now rooted in the abstraction and semi-abstraction of my subject matter.
My photographic compositions are explorations of environments. Whether capturing fragments of a shifting seascape or the stark geometries of urbanization, I delve into the intricate dance between colour, light, and the elements of humanity.
Influenced by the vibrant, abstract languages of Georgia O'Keeffe and Paul Klee, I seek to bridge the gap between us and the natural world. I invite the viewer to engage deeply, discerning the subtle interplays and connections woven into each piece.
My process is defined by a visceral connection to my surroundings. My workspace is not confined by four walls; instead, it extends into the varied landscapes and urban settings that inspire me. I often seek out isolated, serene locations, making them my "studio for the day," to experience the environment without filters.
This immersion allows me to focus intensely on the subject, minimizing distractions until the world narrows down to the frame. The journey concludes in post-production at home, where I refine the raw immersion of the field into a final, concentrated capture.
Artist Statement
The cornerstone of my vision was formed in the contrast between the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and the industrial wastelands of London. During art school, I began recording these environments with a large-format view camera, looking at them through a philosophical lens. I developed an eye for the complexities of both the urban environment and the intricate beauty of nature.
This duality - the tension between the rural and the metropolitan - continues to drive my exploration of space and place.
Message & Transmission
I prefer to leave the ultimate message of my work open to the spectator's imagination. However, if one looks deeply enough into the detail, a philosophical inquiry emerges regarding our relationship with the earth.
My images often provoke a sense of disorientation or unease, asking: Is our relationship with nature more negative than positive? Has consumerism pushed us beyond the point of no return?
Using macro lenses to see into the subject in an almost ethereal sense, I encourage a deeper look at our coexistence and the fragile link between us and the world we inhabit.
Blue Wedge with Orange - Colour photographic print 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
Intricate Highlights - Colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
Grey Rectangular Shape on Orange - Colour Photographic print, 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
Translucent Embedded Abstracted Horizontal Shapes - colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
Frenzy of Pattern - Colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
Pre-Dawn Light on Waves of Pattern - Colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40 cm, 2025
Tangled Pattern on Sand - Colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40 cm, 2025
Muted Greys of Curved Formations - Colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40 cm, 2025
Blue and White Curved Striations - colour photographic print, 53.3 x 40 cm, 2026
Rock Pool Reflected in Muted Light - colour photographic print - 53.3 x 40cm, 2025
