The artist talks to protothema.gr about the beauty and challenges of exhibiting in a distant foreign country.

Angeliki Angelidi travels to distant South Korea with a new series of works themed around the sea’s depths. The artist, who is highly regarded in the Eastern country, is presenting her new exhibition titled Under the Water at the Jeju Stone Park Museum. The official opening will take place with the artist’s presence on Monday, November 11, 2024. Speaking to protothema.gr, Angelidi discusses her relationship with South Korea, where she is exhibiting for the third time, and the works included in her new exhibition.

You’ve opened paths and horizons in the Seoul art market. How difficult is it for a Greek woman to fulfill this lifelong dream?
It is really difficult, and it’s not a matter of gender. Koreans are a people who don’t easily trust or open up to foreigners, especially those from Western cultures, even if they have recommendations. Let alone without them. They also struggle to handle the directness and warmth we have as a people the first time they meet you, though they do open up the second and third time. Opening artistic doors in Korea is like a Korean coming to Greece and trying to establish themselves artistically on their own! We’re on a different wavelength! It’s hard, even if you go through the embassy—not to organize an exhibition somewhere (galleries are out of the question), but to promote works and ensure continuity! Koreans set high standards in their selections.

What difficulties have you encountered and how have you dealt with them?
I’ve faced many difficulties. I constantly encounter challenges in this country, starting from sending and executing the works to setting up and conducting each exhibition! Aside from Koreans being unique, there’s the objective difficulty of the time difference (they are 7 hours ahead), which makes communication challenging! However, things are changing a bit this year because I signed a contract with an international company that now represents me there! I feel very lucky because it’s difficult to be proposed by such a company. A significant factor has been the reception of my works and the continuous media coverage of my activities. A turning point was the inclusion of The Battle of Salamis in the War Memorial in Seoul.

What impression did you get from the exhibitions there and the different culture of the country?
Exhibiting in such a country is unique. However, you are consumed by the anxiety of “what will happen.” As for the culture, since I had delved into it, it was a dream come true for me. Imagine yourself in my position—I consider it my second homeland. It felt like a “calling.” I believe I made a great leap and it worked out. Honestly, I always believed it would.

Your works exude a great sense of strength and optimism, as the colors you use reflect this. What does color mean and symbolize for you?
Color is light! It dispels darkness and warms people’s souls! It brings joy and optimism (depending on how you use it)! Color is a form of expression. After all, we see it in psychology! I live in colors and dream through them.

How many times have you visited Seoul, and how much support have you received from the Greek government?
With this trip, it will be my fifth time visiting Seoul. I didn’t ask for help from the Greek government (and what help would I have needed?), but I did receive support from our Greek Ambassador there, Mrs. Nineta Loupa, who believed in me and supported me greatly. I met her after I had already arranged my first exhibition in Seoul, as the embassy had clarified that they have no access to galleries there. In Korea, there’s no middle ground. Either they like you, or they don’t, and it takes a lot of guts and risk to try in their country.

Looking at your works, we would say you have combined and merged the Greek element with that of Seoul. What is your opinion on this?
This happened strongly in my first exhibition in 2021, where I tried to present the common elements of the two countries. Later, I made it lighter. For example, I compared their cherry trees with our almond trees and stuck with this theme, firstly because it allows me to create joyful images and secondly, because both peoples love cherry trees.

What are your plans for your next trip, and what do you expect from it?
I have many plans for the future, and I’ve already booked all of 2025, but I don’t like to announce them in advance because I strongly believe that “People make plans, and God laughs.”