For his second solo show at Snap Contemporary Art, Toronto artist Dimitri Papatheodorou presents a sharply different body of work from his earlier abstracted canvases with their rolling, looping lines. “New Architectural Work” (a subtle allusion to modernist design) finds Papatheodorou investigating the enigma of minimalist interiors, and the way light shifts and shadows its way through the space. As Papatheodorou leads his own architectural firm in Toronto, the subject matter for this series of oils (mostly on thin panel, though a couple are on canvas and all slickly glazed and delicately coloured) might seem a too obvious choice – hack jobs for possible future commissions. But the artist in the architect has other aims.

In The Republic, Plato spoke of the allegory of the cave, the idea that meaning is gained not by its primary source (in this case, sunlight) but through the refraction of light which results in illusive shadows and suggested meanings. As Marybeth McTeague wrote of Papatheodorou’s work:

“The source of light is never glimpsed. We cannot see the world where it falls. It is out of reach and we sense ourselves to be within a space of longing.”

These paintings are beguiling, emptiness at once proud of its own structure and open to other fulfillment. Papatheodorou’s work here is conciously metaphorical. Even the reflective nature of these works which results from Papatheodorou’s many coats of oil and glaze add another layer of light, another layer of meaning to the work. Still, the pieces remain open and invite the viewer’s effort to find his own way through the filtered light and flickering shadows.

Snap Contemporary Art, Vancouver

Oil/Board 20"x20" 2005 - collection of Artist

Oil/Board 20"x20" 2005 (sold)

 Oil/Board 20"x20" 2005 - collection of the Artist

Oil/Board 49"x39" 2005 - contact Artist

Oil/Canvas 24"x18" 2006.05 - sold

Oil/Canvas 36"x48" 2006.04 - contact the Artist

Gallery Installation

Gallery Installation