Maria Sarri
GREECE: PAST AND PRESENT

Maria was born on the island of Chios and has lived there her whole life. Gifted and inventive, Maria's love for painting has seen her become one of Greece 's finest artists, travelling the world exhibiting her works.

In this rare exhibition Maria brings a collection of her work offering her vision of the beauty of Greek landscape and architecture.

The exhibition, entitled; Greece: Past and Present, is a retrospective exhibition in three parts: 1. Pieces illustrating ancient Greek spirit,
2. Scenery and parts of Greece that are disappearing,
3. Portraits of famous Greeks who made their mark on Greek culture.

Opening night will feature an introduction by Maria herself in English and Greek, alongside Greek mezedes, treats and Greek wine. Biography of Maria Sarri Maria Sari was born on the island of Chios and has lived there her whole life.

A gifted and inventive artist, Maria's love for painting has seen her become one of Greece's finest artists, traveling the world exhibiting her works. In this rare exhibition Maria brings a collection of her works offering her vision of the beauty of Greek landscape and architecture.

The exhibition, entitled, Greece : Past and Present, is a retroactive exhibition, presented in three parts:
(1) Pieces illustrating ancient Greek spirit,
(2) Scenery and parts of Greece that are disappearing,
(3) Portraits of famous Greeks who made their mark on Greek culture.

"The artist of poetry. The poetess of artistry." Chios, the island of Homer Maria's works have been inspired by Greece's beautiful landscape, every day life and social problems.

Great part of her work refers to verses of poets and that's why she is justly called artist of poetry. She is the mother of five children. She is an arts teacher.

She has held 24 individual exhibitions and has participated in tens of group ones. She organised 18 exhibitions with her student classes and 8 painting competitions. Works of her embellish airports and tourist agencies of Europe.

They also decorate the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of Athens, and the offices of both the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister as well as other public and private places. On many occasions her work has been presented by the Media of Greece, Australia, USA, Germany, Italy and Cyprus.

In September of 1999 she was awarded a gold medal for her contribution to Art, during the 2nd Spiritual Olympiad, organised by D.E.E.L. in Athens.

She was also awarded the 1st Prize and gold medal in portrait painting in the "PANATHENEA 2000"

She was honoured with the award "OSCAR 2000" of Catania, Italy by "Accademia Ferdinandea" and with the 1st prize in the 14th International Competition of poetry - painting by the "Accademia Pontedera" in Pizza, Italy, Furthermore in November she was awarded the 2nd prize of painting - poetry at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, by the Delphic Amphictionies.

Maria has won prizes at Panhellenic and international competitions alike. Poems of her have been published by literary journals, newspapers, anthologies and have been broadcasted by radio. Some of her works have appeared in 4 albums and 6 diaries.

Two of her fairy tales have been presented by the children of "Harmony", one of them has been published she has made the stage settings and costumes of many plays.

She is the representative of the Chamber of Fine Arts in the Arts Committee of the Chios Prefectural Council.

She is a member of the Greek Association of Literature (D.E.E.L.), the Association P.E.L.T., the Society of UNESCO, the "Accademia Ferdinandea" and the "Accademia Euro Afro Asiatica Del Turismo, Catania, Italy.