Margarita Lypiridou is a visual artist, painter and printmaker. Employing the landscape and the figure she explores themes of ephemerality, the fluidity of human experience, the complexity of nature and the dialectic relation of reality and imagination. Through the interplay of elements of abstraction and representation, she is attempting to highlight visual and spatial relationships of the ineffable material that makes up the human and the natural world. Lypiridou works with layers upon layers of acrylic, oil, wax and a variety of materials for mixed techniques, creating a dialogue between texture, colour and pattern, con-stantly revealing and concealing different parts of the painting, thus inviting the viewer to look to a place within and respond to the picture in terms of their own lived experience.
She studied painting, photography and applied arts in her native Greece and England, before relocating to Montreal in 2002. She holds a Master’s degree of Fine Arts in Studio Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Print Media from Concordia University, Montreal. In the summer of 2021 Lypiridou set up her art practice in her hometown, Thessaloniki, Greece, where she will be spending most of her time. Her studio is now in the heart of the Mediterranean city and her painting is infused with the surrounding vistas, smells and sounds of it.
Since 1995 she has been participating in solo and group exhibitions and her work is part of collections across Europe and North America.
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Gallery Chalkos. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. Miniature. Group Show (December 2024)
Islahane Cultural Center, Thessaloniki, Greece - 80 Years from the Hortiatis Holocaust. Group Show (October-November 2024)
International Juried Exhibition. Cold Wax Academy, USA. Online Group (June-July 2024)
Ro Artspace at Porto Carras. Thessaloniki, Greece. Six artists exhibiting. Group Show (Summer 2024)
Municipal Gallery of Thessaloniki - Casa Bianca. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. The Guernica of Our Times. Group Show. (June-July 2024)
Art_Thessaloniki - International Contemporary Fair, International Exhibition & Congress Center TIF HELEXPO. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. The Body As An Artistic Perception. Group Show
Myro Gallery. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. In Between Auction and Exhibition. Group Show (February 2024)
2023
Helios Art. Thessaloniki, Greece. 50 Visual Artists Exhibition. Group Show (December 2023)
Gallery Chalkos. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. Miniature. Group Show (December 2023)
Art Gallery of the Society for Macedonian Studies. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. Forty Years of Artistic Creation. Group Show. (November 2023)
Eneken. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. Collage - Watercolour. Group Show
Ro Artspace, Thessaloniki, Greece. , ‘40 - 318’. Group Show. (October 2023)
The Flying Fig, Ermoupolis, Syros Island, Greece. , ‘Life Is A Beach - And then we swim’. SOLO Show (July-August 2023).
Bissel Library, American College of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. , ‘ContrA-dictions’. DUO Show with Emmy Kotoula.
2022
The Flying Fig, Ermoupolis, Syros Island, Greece. , ‘Summer Reflections’. SOLO Show.
Art Number 23, Athens, Greece. , ‘Athens Open Art’. Group Show. (June 2022)
Ro Artspace, Thessaloniki, Greece. , ‘From Ro With Love’. Group Show.
2021
Ro Artspace, Thessaloniki, Greece. , ‘Epestrefe’. SOLO Show.
2020
Atelier de Peinture de Lachine, ‘En amour avec Lachine’, Lachine, QC, Canada. Saul Bellow Library Group Show.
2019
Galerie Hexad at Atelier Galerie 2112, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Still Alive: Art and the Passing of Time’. Group Show.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2018
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2017
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Affinities-Affinités’. SOLO Show.
Atelier de Peinture de Lachine, Art Premier, Lachine, QC, Canada. Saul Bellow Library Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2016
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Petits Formats 2016’. Group Show.
Atelier de Peinture de Lachine, Art Premier, Lachine, QC, Canada .Group Show.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2015
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Petits Formats 2015’. Group Show.
The Center for Book Arts, New York, NY, USA. ‘Embraced: The International Community’. Group Show.
Atelier de Peinture de Lachine, Guy-Descary Cultural Centre, Lachine, QC, Canada. Group Show.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2014
Atelier de Peinture de Lachine, Guy-Descary Cultural Centre, Lachine, QC, Canada. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2013
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2012
Bromfield Gallery, Boston, MA, U.S.A. 12x12 Holiday Group Show.
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Mosaïque’. Group Show.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Drif ||Dérive’. SOLO Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
2011
Galerie Blanche, Montreal, QC, Canada. ‘Côté À Côté’. Group Show.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Archaelogical Museum of Messenia, Kalamata, Greece. 1st Panhellenic Bookbinding Exhibition of Kalamata.
Galerie d’Art r3 – Université du Québec à Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada. ‘L’Âge De Raison’. Group Show.
Kouros Gallery,New York, NY, USA. ‘Accrochage’. Group SHow
The Center for Book Arts, New York, NY, USA. ‘The (UN)framed Photograph’. Group Show.
Beauchamp Gallery, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Group Show.
Centre des Metiers du Cuir de Montreal,Les Amis de la Reliure d’Art, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dires Érotiques.
McGill Campus Community, Centennial Centre, McDonald Campus, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Artists Among Us’.
Charles-H. Blais Library, Les Amis de la Reliure d’Art, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Dires Érotiques.
2010
McGill Campus Community, Tanna Schulich Lobby, New Music Building, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Artists Among Us’.
Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, Centre des Loisirs, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada. ‘Exposition D’Autumn’. Group Show.
Dollard-Des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada. Visual Arts Exhibition.
Greek Artists’ Books: Contemporary Artworks and Editions - ART ATHINA, Athens, Greece.
2009
MFA Gallery – Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘The Layering of Time in the Unfolding of Memory’. SOLO [MFA Thesis Exhibition]
2008
Warren G, Flowers Gallery – Dawson College, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Book: Artwork - Le Livre: Oeuvre d’Art’. (Mois de l’Art Imprimé 2008). Group Show.
SIGGRAPH 2008- The 35thInternational Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques – Los Angeles, CA, USA. African Kuba Textiles: Structural Inference and Contemporary Design Variations Using Shape Grammars. (Contributors: The Generative Design Team: Cheryl Kolak Dudek, Margarita Lypiridou, Nasim Sedaghat, Sudhir Mudur, Fred Szabo, Lydia Sharman, Thomas Fevens, Concordia University).[11-15 August 2008]
Espace ARTEFACTO, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Concordia University MFA Studio Arts.’Strata’. Group Show.
2007
Atelier CIRCULAIRE, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Le Silence Dans La Forêt: A collaborative print portfolio’.
Art Mûr, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Concordia University MFA Studio Arts.’Compression’. Group Show.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Taxidevontas’. Group Show.
2006
Atelier CIRCULAIRE, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Print Media exhibition: ‘La Classe de Madame Garfin’.
Atelier CIRCULAIRE, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Print Media exhibition: ‘First Prints’ (juried).
V.A.V. Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Print Media exhibition: ‘Album’.
Art Center–Cultural Organization Municipality of Athens. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘111+1 Artists’. Group Show.
2005
Atelier CIRCULAIRE, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Prix Albert-Dûmouchel’. Group Show.
Qbox Gallery, Athens, Greece. ‘Artists’ Books’ (curated by Katerina Manolessou). Group Show.
Villa Bianca Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. 40thDemetria-Annual Municipal Art Festival. Anatolia College exhibition.
V.A.V. Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Annual Print Media Show : ‘Clean Hands’ (juried by Matthew Letzelter). Group Show.
Art Gallery of the Society for Macedonian Studies. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. 39thDemetria-Annual Municipal Art Festival. Group Show.
2004
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Memory Traces’. SOLO Show.
Espace X, Arts N.D.G., Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘La Nuit d’Autumne – Harvest Moon’. Group Show.
V.A.V. Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Annual Print Media Show: Juried by Ed Pien.
2003
Art Gallery of the Society for Macedonian Studies. Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece (SKETBE), Thessaloniki, Greece. Twenty Years of Artistic Creation (38thDemetria-Annual Municipal Art Festival). Group Show.
Mylos Art House Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Woman’. Group Show.
Agora Gallery, New York, U.S.A. ‘Inner Visions: A Collective exhibition’. Gabor Kolman, - Wesley Rickert – Margarita Lypiridou TRIO show.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Entropy II’. SOLO Show.
Gallery GORA, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ‘Entropy’. SOLO Show.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. Group Show.
2002
State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘1st Interbalcan Forum of Contemporary Minature Art’. Group Show.
2002
International Exhibition Center, Thessaloniki, Greece. Exhibition organized by Animal Rights Advocacy Group ‘Argos’.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Entropy’. SOLO Show
Municipal Museum of Kavala, Kavala, Greece. ‘Windows – Recalling Times and Places’. SOLO Show.
EPSILON Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Female Presence’. Group Show.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. Group Show.
2001
Vafopouleion Cultural Center, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘1stPanhellenic Exhibition of Miniatures. 36thDemetria’. Group Show.
APOGEIO Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Letters Never Sent’. SOLO Show.
ATRION Art Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. Group Show.
Galerie Idees Images Monnaies, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Group Show.
1999
Mylos Art House Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. Group Show.
1997
IRENE MARLI Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Pulsa Denura’. SOLO Show.
IRENE MARLI Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. Group Show.
1996
SANDERS MEUBELSTAT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ‘Aerografies II’. SOLO Show.
1995
KANAVOS Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece. ‘Aerografies’. SOLO Show.
EDUCATION
2007 - 2009
Master’s Degree in the Fine Arts, Studio Arts Department of Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2003 – 2007
Bachelor’s Degree in the Fine Arts, Visual Arts (Print Media), Studio Arts Department of Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (magna cum laude)
2007
Apprenticeship in the Art of Fine Bookbinding at Atelier “La Tranchefille” , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
1998 – 2000
Diploma in Design and Multimedia, Institute of Professional Development of Evosmos. Thessaloniki, Greece.
1990
Certificate in Photography. School of Communication, University of Westminster. London, England. (Formerly Polytechnic of Central London).Certificate awarded with Distinction.
City and Guilds Certificate of the London Institute.
1989 - 1990
Professional Apprenticeship Program. Graphic Design and Advertising. The School of Communication Arts. London, Eng
land. (Member of team of art directors, copywriters and graphic designers.)
1986 – 1989
Diploma in Design: Interior, Graphic and Fashion, Dimitreli Institute of Professional Preparation-Applied Arts and Design. Thessaloniki, Greece.
COLLECTIONS - ARCHIVES
2011
The Center For Book Arts, New York City, NY, USA : Artist’s Book: Subway, edition of 6, self-published (copy 6/6).
2009
Vast-Forward 1646 Art Video Archive, Den Haag, The Netherlands.
Video Works:
In Between 05:50;14 [2009]
Motion <Forward> 03:13;19 [2008]
Passing 03:02;18 [2008]
Untitled[Shadows] 03:50;16 [2008]
Scribing Dance 07:28;09[2008]
In Transit I 03:39;00 [2007]
In Transit II <In Circles> 05:48;00 [2007]
Remnants 03:08;29 [2007]
Home Within I 04:22;28 [2006]
Home Within II 04:07;17 [2006]
Home Within III 04:11;27 [2006]
2005
Bibliothêque Nationale du Quêbec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Artist’s Book: Escapenot, edition of 5, self-published.
2004
Bibliothêque Nationale du Quêbec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Artist’s Book: Memory Traces, unique, self-published.
2005
Concordia University Print Media Collection, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2002
Art Gallery for the Society of Macedonian Studies, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Municipal Museum of Kavala, Kavala, Greece.
2001
Vafopouleion Cultural Centre, Thessaloniki, Greece. Corporate Collections: Nendos S.A., Hellenic Catering inc.
1995 - present
Private Collections in Greece, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany and the U.S.A.
SCREENINGS
2009
Vast-Forward 1646, Den Haag, The Netherlands.
Video Screening : Scribing Dance 2008 [on December 3rd]
CONFERENCES/ARTIST’S TALKS-DEMOS
2018
Mixed media and Acrylics: Demonstration at the Saint-Laurent Artists’ Association, March 12. 2018, Montreal.
Artist’s Talk at the Dollard-Des-Ormeaux Artists’ Association, March 10, 2016, Montreal.
2017
Artist’s Demonstration at Galerie Beauchamp/Bel Art, March 13, 2017, Quebec City.
2008
SIGGRAPH 2008-The 35thInternational Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques – Los Angeles, CA, USA. African Kuba Textiles: Structural Inference and Contemporary Design Variations Using Shape Grammars. (Contributors: The Generative Design Team: Cheryl Kolak Dudek, Margarita Lypiridou, Nasim Sedaghat, Sudhir Mudur, Fred Szabo, Lydia Sharman, Thomas Fevens, Concordia University). [11-15 August 2008]
GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS/AWARDS
2019
Third Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Jacqueline Gosselin, Jocelyne Lambert, Jacques Sévigny] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2017
First Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Lise de Maisonneuve, Nicole Proulx, Oprina-Félicia Dolea] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2016
Second Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Juan Aquino, Sylvie Coutu, Carole Laurence] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2015
Honorable Mention: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: José Duclos, Steven Rosati] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2013
First Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Édith Quarré, Michèle Boudreau, Francine Guay] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2012
Honorable Mention: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Serj Rodrigue, Oprin-Felicia Dolea, Francine Laurin] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2011
First Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Andrée Desrochers, Bernard Marsy, Pierre Wilson] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2010
First Prize: The Saint Laurent Artists’ Association [jury members: Claude Noël, Bernard Marsy, René Desmarais] – Prize offered by the Caisse Populaire Desjardins de Saint Laurent , Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2008
Bursary: The Generative Design Project, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Project funded by SSHRC, FQRSC, Hexagram (The Institute for Research/ Creation in Media Arts and Technology, Concordia University) and the departments of Engineering, Computer Science and Fine Arts, Concordia University (ENCSFA). Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2007
David J. Azrieli Graduate Fellowship, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2007
Concordia University Graduate Fellowship, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2007
Concordia University International Tuition Fee Remission Award, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2007
The Betty Goodwin Prize in Studio Arts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2005
Prix Albert-Dûmouchel, ARPRIM-Regroupement pour la Promotion de l’Art Imprime. University student in print annual award, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2004
Concordia University: Award and Scholarship: Friends of Concordia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2004
Awarded membership to Golden Key International Society.
1999
Institute of Professional Development: Evosmos: Scholarship: Full tuition for high GPA (1999-2000), Thessaloniki, Greece.
1989
Dimitreli Institute of Professional Preparation-Applied Arts and Design: Award for designing and decorating the interior of the building of the shipping company Cosmatos, Thessaloniki Greece.
1988
Dimitreli Institute of Professional Preparation-Applied Arts and Design: Scholarship: Full tuition for distinction (1988-1989), Thessaloniki, Greece.
PRESS
Ta Kathekasta - Municipal TV of Thessaloniki [TV100], with Kanataki Christinai, April 11, 2023 (Greece) >TV interview.
Me Mia Ombrella Kokkini - Sto Kokkino Radio, with Spiridopoulou Elsa, April 11, 2023 (Greece) >Radio interview.
“Recalling Times and Places - Margarita Lypiridou”, Proini newspaper, April 26, 2002 (Greece) >Press review.
“Recalling Times and Places - Margarita Lypiridou”, Kalogrias Agelos - Evdomi newspaper, April 24, 2002 (Greece) >Press review.
“Recalling Times and Places”, Mantzourani Maria - To Chrima newspaper, April 24, 2002 (Greece) >Press review.
“Recalling Times”, Theologidou Ifigeneia - Agelioforos newspaper, March 24, 2001 (Greece) >Press review.
“Deeds Begin With Ideas”, Theologidou Ifigeneia - Panorama magazine/Agelioforos newspaper, March 2000 (Greece) >Press interview.
Mera Mesimeri - National Greek TV [ET3], with Maliahova Maroula, March 22, 2001 (Greece) >TV interview.
Polytechno - Municipal TV of Thessaloniki [TV100], with Georgiadis Panos, May 30, 1997 (Greece) >TV interview.
Kalo Mesimeri - Municipal TV of Thessaloniki [TV100], with Dokalis Christos, May 30, 1997 (Greece) >TV interview.
Zitima Style - Omega TV, with Maria Hatzimihael, May 27, 1997 (Greece) >TV interview.
CATALOGUES
Affinités/Affinities Catalogue, essay by Avery Larose, Montreal: Blanche Galerie d’Art : 2017.
Drift//Dérive Catalogue, essay by Erin Manning, Montreal: Blanche Galerie d’Art : 2012.
DiresÉrotiques, ARA Canada, Quebec, 2010.
Book: Artwork - Le Livre: Oeuvre d’Art. Arsenault Claude ed., Montreal: Dawson College: 2008.
Strata. Montreal: Concordia University MFA Studio Arts 2008.
Compression. Montreal: Concordia University MFA Studio Arts 2007.
111+1 Artists Visual Artists of Northern Greece. Thessaloniki: ZitrosPublications, 2006.
VAANG-20 Years of Artistic Creation. Kiriakou Nikolas ed. Thessaloniki: Municipality of Thessaloniki, 2003, (Greece)
1stInterbalcan Forum of Contemporary Miniature Art. Visual Artists of Northern Greece.. Thessaloniki: Hellenic Ministry of Culture, 2002, (Greece).
1stPanhellenic Exhibition of Miniature Art. Panagiotakis Stavros ed. Thessaloniki: Municipality of Thessaloniki, 2001, (Greece).