Hello, and welcome to Our Newsletter Issue #3
It is a pleasure to have you here.
Last week, we looked at the first piece in my Finding Closeness series, as well as the overarching theme of the collection.
Today, we will be taking a closer look at 'BPOFY', the second painting I made in this series, and also one of my favourites.
BPOFY, 2019
Oil and phototransfer on canvas
50 x 50 cm
Signed on back
This painting is available to collect, email info@ariettachandris.com to enquire about it
While all my artwork is unavoidably personal to me, 'BPOFY' is particularly so. I began this piece in early 2019 when the idea for Finding Closeness was still in its infancy. This painting was, at the time, a quaint journey into still life painting; a necessary bit of practice for any artist. It was inspired in full by a bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers that I received from my dad (an annual tradition), with a coded message on the card: BPOFY. Mysterious.
As always, I called my dad to thank him for the kind gesture, and (in Greek) he goes, “well, did you get it?”.
Truthfully, I hadn't. But, following a hilarious conversation it was explained to me thatBPOFY was short for Be Proud of You. It was (and still is) some solid advice, and I knew then that I had to immortalise these flowers in paint. In respect to the series, this one here is all about the intimacy involved in the act of giving a gift, something that we can all hopefully relate to in some way.
The more I look at this piece, the more meanings and narratives I can add to it, but I won't cloud your judgements further. Instead, why don't you tell me how you relate to this piece?
'BPOFY' as it could look in your home.
This painting is available to collect, email info@ariettachandris.com to enquire about it
Since its making, BPOFY has received a lot of attention; most notably it has been featured in two issues of The World of Interiors Magazine (August & September 2021 Issues). It was included in the prolific Art in The Age of Now exhibition at the Fulham Town Hall, and last year (pre-Covid) it was featured in the exhibition People Like You + Me, which I co-curated with the wonderful Julia Howe at the East London Liquor Company.
Looking ahead, I am considering turning this painting into a limited edition print.
As ever, I always value your feedback, so let me know whether this is something you would like to see!
In the next newsletter, we will be exploring the piece 'Man's Best Friend', you can check this one out here.
Until then, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love,
Arietta xx