THE CITY OF ATHENS Art Gallery (building A) is currently hosting the group exhibition ‘Natura Patiens‘ till May 26, supported by theCulture, Sports & Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA). Curator of the exhibition is Nina Fragopoulou (Marine Βιοlogist, PhD and independent curator), who has selected 32 established Greek artists’ works that reflect upon the growing concerns of the climate crisis.

The exhibition “Natura Patiens” honors the ability of art to provide powerful insight into the huge problem of climate crisis that affects the planet and human existence. Via the mediums of painting, engraving, sculpture, textile art, installation, photography and video, the artists of this exhibition convey their respect and praise of the natural environment, yet at the same time address the ways in which man destroys it, thus destroying him/herself. Through the artworks, reference is made to the causes of the climate change, i.e. the pollution of the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, animal husbandry, agriculture and fires, as well as the environmental responses to it, such as overheating, dehydration, desertification, floods, fires, melting ice, oxygen depletion, the threat to biodiversity and the migration of populations.

Other art works address the dynamic interaction between humans and nature, one which they depend on for their survival. As Yannis Bolis, art historian, says: “The works attempt to capture the connection but also the traumatic dimension, the ‘unnatural’ and ‘paradoxical’ separation, the domination of man over the natural environment. At a time when the planet is experiencing in a nightmarish way the effects of human abusive intervention on nature, the exhibition records the active attitude and reflection of the participating artists, defining a unified and multifaceted artistic intervention with works that open up to the political, social and economic, ideological and moral dimensions of the issue of the climate crisis”.

Participating artists:

Artemis Alcalay, Aggelos Antonopoulos, Elena Antonopoulou, Jenny Antonopoulou, Annita Argiroiliopoulou, Stavros Bonatsos, Ismini Bonatsou, Lydia Dambassina, Charalampos Dermatis, Martha Dimitropoulou, Thalassini Douma, Kleio Gizeli, Eleni Glinou, Marion Inglessi, Angie Karatza, Aris Katsilakis, Antigoni Kavvatha, Athina Latinopoulou, Aggeliki Loi, Dimitra Maltabe, Michalis Manousakis, Irini Matsouki, Tassos Missouras, Konstantinos Patsios, Titika Salla, Ifigeneia Sdoukou, Dimitra Skandali, George Stamatakis, Panagiotis Tanimanides, Tassos Triantaphyllou, Yiannis Ziogas, Stefania Zouroudi

Parallel events

Alongside the exhibition, an educational programme for school students is being held by the museum educators of OPANDA at the City of Athens Art Gallery. Also, a scientific conference entitled “Climate crisis: environment & people” with the participation of thirteen distinguished scientists will take place at Harokopio University, on April 21st, with the support of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation.

The exhibition, the educational programme and the scientific conference offer vital information, awareness and knowledge,  promoting synergies in the process. Considering that environmental issues are directly related to human life and its interactions with complex economic, social and political systems, the programme aims to awaken environmental awareness and individual responsibility and encourage us to change our relationship with nature in order to prevent the increasing destruction of the ecosystems  which we are part of and which we largely shape.

Guided tours of the exhibition:

On the weekend April 13 – 14 & May 25 – 26 by the curator in the presence of the artists at 12:00.

The exhibition was initially presented in Kefalonia in the summer of 2022 with the support of the Municipality of Argostoli, curated by Nina Fragopoulou and coordinated by Maggy Papadatou.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with texts by Nina Fragopoulou, & Yannis Bolis, Art Historian.

City of Athens Art Gallery (building A)

Leonidou & Millerou, Metaxourgeio-Athens

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-19:00, Sunday, 10:00- 16:00

Entry to the exhibition is free

Exclusive Sponsor: Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation