In his photographical work Petros Chrisostomou plays with the illusion of scale. Small objects of everyday use such as high-heeled shoes or chicken eggs become large sculptures in different contexts. The artist constructs models of interiors, which vary from white cubes to ordinary kitchens. While a chicken egg fits perfectly in the context of a kitchen, the size of an egg half the size of a kitchen unit is confusing. A tower of ladies’ shoes in a white cube atmosphere on the other hand reminds more of the enlarged everyday objects by Jeff Koons. However, no objects are left after Chrisostomou has taken the photographical picture of the installation. In that sense his approach to the final piece of art can be compared to the photographical work by Thomas Demand who constructs life-sized models made of coloured paper and cardboard, takes a photograph, and destroys the models afterwards.

Chrisostomou’s work is both real and artificial at the same time. It appeals to the viewer’s perception of size and scale of objects as well as of the human being itself. What seems to be an artwork with a good portion of humour at first glance can easily be seen as a critical approach to topics such as megalomania or gene technologies.

place & year of birth
1981, London

featured galleries
_

education
2005
Royal Acadamy School, MA Fine Art, London, UK

2000 – 2003
Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, BA Fine Art (hons), London, UK

1999 – 2000
Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, Foundation Diploma Art and Design, London, UK

solo exhibitions
2008
Xippas Gallery, Athens, Greece

2007
Xippas Gallery, Paris, France

group exhibitions
2008
The Red Mansion Art Price, Lethaby Gallery, London, UK
Young Greek Artists, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, Greece

2007
407, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Vraisemblances, Xippas Gallery, Paris, France
Premiums, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
Cut & Color, Blyth Gallery, London, UK
Start Your Collection, Contemporary Art Projects, London, UK

bibliography
2007
Petros Chrisostomou, Source No 50, Spring, pp 35 – 41
Antoine Isenbrandt, Vraisemblances, Paris-art.com, May-June

2006
Philips Heather, Baroque my World, A-N Magazine

2005
Windlesham final names emerging artist of 2005, Woking News and Mail, September

2002
Paintings from Petros, The Times, February 21

Recent Catalogues:

2006
Irene Gerogianni , Petros Chrisostomou in vision, catalogue exhibition, Kappatos Gallery, Athens

2005
Bloomberg New Contemporaries, 2004/2005, New Contemporaries Ltd, London

awards
2007
Red Mansion Art Price, London, UK