After the study of art forms primarily focusing on Printmaking, Photography and Life

drawing, Despina Symeou specialized in Jewellery Design, gaining a B.A.Hons degree

from Middlesex University.

In recent years she has returned to the two dimensional formats which had originally fired her imagination. The human form has been her preferred image, but an eye for the interesting and occasionally quirky elements find their way into her style of work - be it representational or abstract. A variety of printmaking mediums are frequently applied to add texture , colour and depth.

“The application of ink onto a plate is to my mind similar in many ways to applying paint to canvas,” Despina explains. By working a selection of colours into a plate, small variations occur as each print is hand pulled through the press. This process makes each original print unique, but also sits comfortably in a limited edition format.

A new series of figurative mono prints shows a spontaneous and instant expressionistic art form. The line and mark making is unique to each print due to the nature of the medium. The image is then layered by painting, elevating it to the next level. The ancient art of printmaking is used in a modern way to make contemporary artwork. In any creative field the path taken from inspiration to the end product is a most fascinating and instructive period.

Despina’s work has been exhibited internationally, is in private collections worldwide, and is part of the V&A collection fund, and the Scarborough Museum trust.