Vasiliki Karailanidou was born in Xanthi in 1996. There, she completed her studies at the Polytechnic School, in the Department of Architecture. Currently, she lives and works in Thessaloniki at an architectural firm, specializing in urban design and landscape architecture. Through her creations, she connects and expresses her emotions since childhood. Since 2018, as a self-taught artist, she has intensively pursued painting, and in the last semester, she attended illustration classes in Thessaloniki. Her preferred mediums are mainly tempera, gouache, acrylics, watercolours, and occasionally oils.
When did you decide that art was your path?
I always felt a natural inclination towards the arts. However, my strongest urge to engage more intensively with painting came in 2018 when I was 19 years old.
What themes occupy and inspire you in your works?
I believe that all my works are related to situations that I experience or observe others experiencing. They reflect thoughts and emotions that I cannot express or explain through words. More specifically, I draw a lot of inspiration from nature and all its phenomena.
In what way does watercolour serve your themes better than other painting mediums?
With watercolours, I discovered that I can express myself more sincerely compared to other mediums. I can flow more easily, and it greatly assists me in depicting organic forms, which I often capture.
Which visual artists and other creators, in any art form, would you say have influenced you?
I am definitely influenced by many creators who transform their emotions into art forms. Specifically, I find inspiration in the works and stories of Dimitris Pikionis, Carlo Scarpa, and Frida Kahlo.
What do you believe is the social role of art and the visual artist today?
For me, the role of art is to evoke, inspire, provoke, reveal, and generally be present in the present moment.
If a teenager tells you that they want to become a visual artist, what advice would you give them to pay attention to/do?
I don't consider myself suitable to advise a teenager in this field since I am still discovering it myself. The only certainty for me is that if it comes from your heart and you are honest with yourself, you will find your way to what you love.
Ms Vasiliki Karailanidou is currently exhibiting in Athens until Saturday, 15th July, in an exhibition conceived and curated by Paris Kapralos, titled "Colour in Water 7: Summer Resting Place". The exhibition takes place at the Chili Art Gallery (Demophon Street 13-15, Thissio) and is open to the public with free admission on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.