Color rules

In this, his fourth one-man exhibition at OPUS 39 (he is very well represented in mixed ones, too), Christos Christou has established himself as one of the best of our non figurative artist.

This is not to say that he does not connect with the body sometimes. He is actually a true abstract painter.

There is a beautiful hint of a female in his number 10.

A hint of landscape appears, too, as in his number 7 “whites”.

Also with number 4 “steps”, the title is purposeful.

However, the “reality” in Christos’ work is the paintings themselves.

There are few artists here who can cope with large canvases without falling into design. Non-figuration is not merely filling in with pretty colors.

There must be reasons. With Christos Christou, it’s the juxtaposition of laminas of color which float, thrust forward, retreat; all of which “assemble” in harmony.

He instinctively appreciates the value of space. Take a long look at number 17, “in white”, a majestic canvas with a bold orange square, a vast area of white and curving lines in paint. It has its own life.

Observe how, in number 12, there appears to be an emotional and visual fragmentation, which is cleverly brought together again. In number 8, “video game”, the artist appears to be searching for new ways of providing “depth” in a picture, without destroying the canvas tension.