What Was the Ancient Name of the Minoans?
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Greek artist Christoforos Asimis, the internationally acclaimed “painter of Santorini,” has dedicated his life to capturing the unique magic of his homeland. His work is a vibrant testament to the island’s unique beauty, revealing an original vision that has proudly represented his birthplace throughout his illustrious career.
Born and raised on Santorini, Asimis’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in the island’s captivating landscape. After the devastating 1956 earthquakes, his family moved to Athens, where a youthful inclination towards painting began to blossom as he pursued formal education at the prestigious Athens School of Fine Arts.
This formal training, combined with the vivid memories of his homeland, fueled a creative obsession. Asimis soon returned to Santorini, driven by a profound desire to express the sensibilities awakened in him by the island’s unique light and landscape.
His signature style became synonymous with his unparalleled depictions of the island, cementing his reputation as “the painter of Santorini.” He finds immense honor in this title, stating, “Santorini isn’t just a place; it’s a part of my very being, my origins. My art is an expression of this deep connection, and to be recognized for it is incredibly meaningful.”
For over 45 years, Asimis has exclusively dedicated himself to capturing the island’s natural beauty. His relentless focus on natural light in his landscapes has even inspired a distinct “school” of his own.
He possesses an unparalleled ability to capture the specific nuances of Cycladic light, meticulously recording the shapes and figures of Santorini’s very particular architecture. This singular vision has earned him international recognition as one of Greece’s top landscape painters, with his works gracing numerous private collections both in Greece and abroad.
The very essence of Santorini, for Asimis, lies in its unique light. “The light here, the Theraean light, is truly special,” he explains to Greek Reporter.
“It’s unique because it combines with the purity of the atmosphere and the contrast created by the island’s elements: the dark volcanic rocks against the stark white houses.” This dramatic interplay, he adds, “offers endless possibilities, making the expression of light my primary subject.”
Asimis reveals that all his paintings contain two fundamental elements: “the interpretation of this distinctive light, and a deep nostalgia for the Santorini I knew in those earlier, pre-seismic years.”
His technique, he describes, is “closer to Impressionism, with the landscape as my main subject, rather than human figures.” He aims to capture the emotion and atmosphere of a scene, driven by how light transforms it.
In recent times, he has also delved into a compelling series of black and white photographs, using them as raw material and inspiration to depict various scenes from the old Santorini, showcasing its purity and authenticity. These historical glimpses, he notes, are “increasingly becoming a key basis for my expression.”
Beyond his celebrated landscapes, Asimis also undertook the monumental task of decorating the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Fira, the capital of Santorini, with Byzantine hagiography. This spiritual calling began with studies under the great hagiographer Konstantinos Xynopoulos, a student of Kontoglou. Upon returning to Santorini, this became another significant artistic activity.
“The hagiography of the Metropolis of Fira is particularly prominent,” he shares. “It truly represents the essence of my experience in Byzantine hagiography.” Due to the sheer size of the church, this challenging work lasted about eight years. Asimis regards it as “a work of a lifetime, one that I hold in immense appreciation and respect, and I hope it will be preserved for generations.”
The artistic spirit clearly runs through his family. His wife, Eleni Kolainou-Vassimi expresses her creativity through ceramics. “Her work, we could say, is also an expression of Santorini’s land,” Asimis notes, “incorporating figures and many elements of nature.”
Their son, having studied both at the Academy of Fine Arts in London and architecture, played a significant role in creating their gallery space. “He helped a lot in creating this resource,” Asimis proudly states, “which combines folk architecture but also practicality,” making it an ideal exhibition area.
Christoforos Asimis’ work has been acquired by numerous private collections, both in Greece and abroad. His dedication to Santorini transcends mere depiction; it is a profound artistic conversation with his homeland.
