Mater Mundi

Art curator Paris Kapralos, in collaboration with 16 visual artists from Greece and abroad, invites you to visit the exhibition “Mater Mundi,” which explores the timeless presence of female contribution, equality, and collective responsibility for the progress and fulfillment of Culture.

The exhibition takes place in physical form in Athens from Thursday, February 27 – Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Alma Mater art space (62 Emmanouil Benaki Street, Exarchia, Athens) and simultaneously online, in collaboration with ARTgrID.

The curatorial text notes: “The phrase ‘Mater Mundi’ (Mother of the World) has been used in various contexts throughout history, with particular emphasis in religious, philosophical, and artistic discourse. In mysticism, the French scholar Guillaume Postel (1510–1581) used the phrase to describe a divine, mystical figure associated with the idea of the New Eve. In religious iconography, the Virgin Mary is depicted as ‘Mater Mundi,’ signifying her role as the Mother of all humanity. Ovid and other Roman poets do not use the phrase explicitly, but its essence resonates in their works that refer to both worldly and divine mothers.

In the symbolism of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, Mater Mundi was used to describe the embodiment of care, life, and love. However, in contemporary times, the phrase ‘Mater Mundi’ is redefined as a reminder of the multifaceted human nature of women. The woman-mother, beyond her role as a source of life and care, is first and foremost a human being, with dreams, ambitions, and rights. The struggles for gender equality in the 20th and 21st centuries have brought to the forefront the necessity of recognizing women not only as mothers or symbols but as equal members of society.

Demands for equality in the workplace, decision-making, and family life have highlighted the importance of the emancipation of the woman-mother. Today, the term can also symbolize global care, social justice, and the collective responsibility that is borne not only by women but by all people for the well-being of the world. Thus, the phrase takes on a new, dynamic character, reflecting the challenges and achievements of contemporary society.”

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Exhibition in Athens Info

Hours/Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 19:00 – 22:00. On other days, visits are by appointment only at 6972445353. Free entrance.

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*The background of the exhibition poster features details from a work by visual artist Rózsa Balázs.

CATALOG
The exhibition catalog book is available for FREE, in both Greek and English, for online viewing and/or download HERE.

Participating Artists

The exhibition features works by: Eva Anastopoulou, Olga Barmazi, Rózsa Balázs, Ioannis Stamoulis, Corina Nani, Maria Kalliadou, Ioana Ursu, Niki Roubani, Gabriela Galban, Elena Arsenidou, Lucyna Kukosz, Dionysia Zernou, Chrysoula Demagkou, Michail Moumtzis, Eirini Chaleli, Chara Efthymiopoulou.

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PARALLEL EVENT

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, an event and public discussion will take place at the exhibition venue, featuring speakers with distinguished activist work in issues of equality. This will be followed by a guided tour by the Curator, with the presence of the artists, honoring the significance of the day, which served as an inspiration and reference point for the Mater Mundi exhibition. Detailed information about the event will be announced soon.

About the Curator

Paris Kapralos is an Art Curator, Founder & Coordinator of ARC – Art Revisited Collective, and co-editor of Arts & Antiques CCR. He was born in 1975 and grew up in Athens, where he lives and works. He studied Economics (Athens) and Graphic Arts (Staffordshire, England). He worked as a Journalist specializing in Technology issues for financial newspapers, magazines, and electronic news agencies (1999-2006), as an executive organizer of business conferences in the IT & Telecommunications sector (2004-2011), and changed his career path to focus on the field of Art in 2011. He has curated and organized more than 200 exhibitions, art events, projects, and participations in Greece and abroad. More details HERE.

About ARTgrID

ARTgrID is a company dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of high-quality visual arts, primarily through a digital services website, as well as by organizing physical events, actions, and leveraging synergies with various stakeholders in the Arts sector (Curators, venues, art dealers, investment advisors, specialized legal experts, etc.). It provides an online platform offering specialized services at https://artgrid.gr, including the organization of physical and online exhibitions/symposiums/art events, the creation, hosting, and promotion of visual artists’ websites, and more. More details HERE.

About Alma Mater

The “Alma Mater” Art Space is located in the heart of Athens, in Exarchia. It is housed in a renovated neoclassical residence built before 1890. In Latin, “Alma Mater” literally means “nourishing mother” and is commonly symbolically attributed to Science, which serves as humanity’s guiding force for evolution. Similarly, the vision of the space’s founders is for it to function as an “alma mater” for the intellectual and aesthetic development of the city. In addition to exhibition capabilities, the venue is also equipped to host events. More details HERE.

Media Sponsors

Arts & Antiques CCR
Metafox
Polis Magazino