Microcommission: ‘Moirai’ by Iliodora Margellos
Iliodora Margellos, Moirai, Handmade embroidery on tie dyed canvas, beads (Swarovski crystal, glass, hand blown Venetian glass), 59cm diameter, 2021
Commissioned by RUYA MAPS
Moirai intends to familiarize the viewer with the ancient Greek myth of the Moirai (‘the Fates’) who control the thread of life for mortals from birth to death. In the artwork, the illusion that the thread of life can be controlled is juxtaposed with the notion of tyche (‘chance’); the agent acting against human control. Although the Moirai and tyche seem like two diametrically different approaches to human life they both coexist in the fabric of Athens. Moirai (2021) acts as a metaphor for a surviving culture where stories of antiquity and traditional beliefs are activated, and in doing so affect contemporary societal practices.
Detail of Moirai, image courtesy of the artist
“Through Moirai the artist pays tribute to her Greek past and re-enacts through embroidery the times spent with her Greek grandmother... who was a dedicated patriot”
The artwork is a hand sewn composition embroidered on tie dyed canvas with cotton floss and beads. The beads are a mix of hand blown Venetian glass and Swarovski crystal that have been selected to enrich the piece with their different origins, plasticity and energy. The composition of Moirai resembles the magnified shape of an eye which the viewer is intended to gaze directly into it. The eye amulet is a traditional symbol of Greek culture, among others, and promises protection to its beholder. Embroidery as a medium enhances this experience, because it unfolds in a circular manner much like the practice of patience, endurance and the adoration of the past.
The embroidery floss and beads selected for the work consist of eight hues resembling the colours of the iris. This effect is enhanced by the color palette and texture of the tie dyed fabric whose black tonalities reflect the eye’s pupil. The embroidered fabric has also been placed over a soft padded covering on a wooden panel; the resulting upholstery creates a 3-dimensional effect.
Fragility and strength is Iliodora Margellos’ answer to RUYA MAPS’ open call. Athens with its spirit, its mood, Athenians themselves, and the artist herself are all strong and fragile. So is Moirai in its medium and aesthetic. Through Moirai the artist pays tribute to her Greek past and re-enacts through embroidery the times spent with her Greek grandmother. Margellos’ grandmother was a fierce yet gentle woman, who was a dedicated patriot and participated in the Resistance against the German occupants and became a member of the Greek Democratic government. She was also the person who taught the artist how to sew literally and metaphorically. The artist’s embroidered artworks stand as surviving memories, memorabilia of successes and proofs of lessons learnt. Through the public presentation of Moirai, Margellos invitez her viewers to experience the beauty of Athens and its forgiving nature as preserved and nurtured throughout time.
Moirai will feature in Margellos’ upcoming solo show presentation at Dio Horia Gallery in Athens, in May 2021. This exhibition will present recent work that explores the distorted possibilities of the unconscious visual world.
Q&A with Iliodora Margellos
Q&A with Athens based artist Iliodora Margellos, one of the finalists of our open call for ‘Spirit.’ Read on to find out about Iliodora’s working routine, the influence of Louise Bourgeois, and the Greek grandmother who taught her to embroider.
‘‘What does Athens mean to you?’’ Announcing our 'Spirit' Finalists
Announcing the finalists of our open call for Athenian artists, we introduce Alkmini Gkousiari, Iliodora Margellos and Melina Fakitsa Mosland. We share their statements on their relationships with the city; reading each one reveals an Athens that is stubborn, vibrant, chaotic, a city that inspires you and leaves you wanting,