Artist Statement

My portfolio displays a sense of abstract and elemental movement, reminding one of earth, sea, sky, and the infinite feeling of outer space. I like to re-envision my work and most of the time, I deconstruct and reposition elements of previous pieces to re-invent them and allow them to evolve. In this way, my art is a continuous route to new discoveries by using evolving objects.

As a painter and printmaker, I start my pieces by collecting my thoughts and inspirations. I experiment on canvas by assembling etched-papers and collagraphs as collages. During this process, a dialogue develops between two different methods (acrylic / oil painting and print-making) which will eventually show complex multi-level artwork as an artist’s single brush stroke. My wood panel canvases and installations are usually large and layered. Pieces can be viewed as exploding or imploding, erupting or collapsing.

I feel accomplished as an artist when my art has enabled the viewers to visually immerse themselves within the graphical worlds and objects of my work. I would like viewers to create their own imaginative escape to enter a “journey into the landscapes of one artist’s mind”, as Philadelphia Inquirer’s art critic has described.

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Artist Biography

Born and raised in Greece, I received my Bachelor Arts Degree at University of Athens. During my studies in Greece, I learned creative expression and artistic exploration from a professor who focused his curriculum on these principles that encompass Greek culture and art history. During my Masters in print making at University of Pennsylvania, my Japanese professor trained me on the minimalistic and acute techniques used in Japanese art. Both professors, with drastically different disciplines and cultures, have impacted my development as an artist and influenced the content of my work. The themes of my artwork are my own imaginative reconnections with nature, sea, and the colorful environments that I have yearned for after moving to large urban American cities from the Mediterranean landscapes.

During my studies, I received several awards and scholarships from UPENN and Univ. of Athens as recognition of the creativity of my artwork. Throughout my professional career, I have actively exhibited at group and solo shows at a variety of locations including academic institutions, private collections, galleries, and museums: UPENN’s Meyerson Hall, Rosemont College, Rowan College, Temple University, “Philagrafika” Selective Group Show, Crane Arts Building, Municipal Art Museum of Thessaloniki (Greece), Consulate General of Cyprus (New York). In addition to my professional activity, I have contributed my artwork to charity & fundraising organizations such as the American Heart Association where I designed the program collateral for the Annual Heart Ball. My artwork has been featured in CityPaper of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Education

1995
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
MFA, Printmaking

1980
University of Athens, Athens, Greece
BFA, Painting; minor, Art Education and Ceramics

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Continuing Education‍

1990 - 1992
Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA
Printmaking

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Awards & Honors

2013
3rd place, Annual Fall Juried Show, MCGOPA at SPP Galleries, Conshohocken, PA

1994
UPENN Scholarship, Vermont Art Studio, Montpellier, VA

1988
Winner of Juried Award in Painting, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

1978 - 1980
Artwork Portfolio Award, University of Fine Arts, Athens, Greece

Department of Ceramics Scholarship Award, University of Fine Arts, Athens, Greece

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Affiliation

2010 - present
Member, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Gallery Director (2011-2013)

InLiquid Member, Philadelphia, PA

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Professional Experience

1991 - 2000
Teacher, Hellenic-American Academy, Upper Darby, PA

1982 - 1984
Teaching Assistant, Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

1997 - 2007
Designer and Planner, Annual Heart Ball, American Heart Association, Philadelphia, PA

Exhibitions

Solo

2024
Elements: Demetra Tassiou, Cosmopolitan Club, Philadelphia, PA

2015
Demetra Tassiou Panidis, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2014
Dialogues, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Escapes, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Assemblage, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Allegories and Visions, Municipal Art Gallery Thessaloniki, Greece

2009
Easttown Library, Easttown, PA

1995
Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA

Meyerson Hall, University of Pennsylvania

1994
Morgan Print Gallery, University of Pennsylvania

1980
Atrium Gallery, Athens, Greece

Group
2014
Delaware Valley Art League, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA

2013
Annual Fall Juried Show, MCGOPA at SPP Galleries, Conshohocken, PA

2012
Broken Memories, Cyprus Consulate, New York, NY

National Collage Society 28th Annual Juried Exhibit, Berman Museum, Collegeville, PA

2011
Community Art Show, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010
3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Members Show, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Penn Alumni Group Show, Philagrafika, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Small Works Group Show, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Brigantine Yacht Club, Brigantine, NJ

2007
UPENN Alumni Exhibit, Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA

2005
UPENN Alumni Exhibit, Meyerson Hall, Philadelphia, PA

2004
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA

2000
Radnor Middle School Administration Building, Radnor, PA

1999
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA

1997
Greek Artists Show, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

1996
Woman Works Show of 1996, Rowan College of New Jersey, NJ

1995
Large Print Show, University of Pennsylvania, PA

Woman Works’, Unitarian Church, Wayne, PA

1994
Large Print Show, Meyerson Hall, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA

1993
Large Print Show, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1988
Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

1979
Fine Arts Gallery, Athens, Greece