Allouche Benias Gallery

The exhibition showcases Theo Michael’s diverse artistic expressions, featuring mosaics, drawings, and collages. The mosaics draw inspiration from Classical Greek, Hellenistic, and Mexican mosaic traditions, blending design techniques with geological elements to convey a timeless quality. Michael’s proprietary mosaic-making technique ensures portability and resistance to torsion. The new series of graphite drawings depicts hybrid forms and landscapes undergoing change, exploring the intersection of the organic and inorganic. The collages reflect the chaos of contemporary information overload, combining news infographic elements with sticker-sheet aesthetics. Despite the apparent heterogeneity, all three lines of work share Michael’s departure from anthropocentric thinking, delving into paradox realms between Physics, Darwinian Evolution, and Fantasy. The pieces balance seriousness with playfulness, abstraction with figurative elements, and the ephemeral with the eternal. They collectively challenge anthropocentric perspectives, offering snapshots of a turbulent moment on Earth where humans are not the central protagonists. Instead, the focus is shifted towards seemingly insignificant natural experiences, thus prompting viewers to consider a more inclusive interpretation of the cosmos.

Theo Michael, a Greek artist based in Mexico, holds degrees in Fine Art from Aristotle University and Utrecht School Of Art, as well as a Masters from Wimbledon School Of Art. His diverse work has been exhibited globally, from Mexico City to Marseille, featured in various publications, and showcased in solo exhibitions. Michael’s art spans graphite drawings of turbulent seas to speculative models of shelters, weathered digital collages, and sculptures. His approach challenges conventional thinking, incorporating self-vandalization as a method, and explores themes of ruination, evolution, and the blurring of cultural boundaries. Michael aims to create art that prompts curiosity, raising questions about alternative universes and histories.

Located in the heart of central Athens, the Allouche Benias Gallery serves as a vibrant nexus of artistic expression, representing a diverse spectrum of both Greek and international contemporary artists. Set against the backdrop of the historic Deligiorgis mansion, an architectural gem crafted in the late 19th century by renowned architect E. Ziller, our gallery offers a captivating blend of old-world charm and cutting-edge creativity. Since our inception in 2018, we have curated a compelling array of solo and group exhibitions, showcasing the works of our artists across a multitude of mediums, from painting and sculpture to photography and digital art. Our commitment to fostering artistic dialogue extends beyond our gallery walls, as we actively participate in prestigious international art fairs, connecting our artists with a global audience and facilitating cross-cultural exchange. At the heart of our mission is a dedication to making contemporary art accessible and engaging to all, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in transformative artistic experiences that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought. Our aim is to introduce people to contemporary art through our exhibitions.