Artistic Approaches to the History of Macedonia, 19th-20th century

Exhibition of artworks from the collection of the Foundation Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia

Parallel Programme of Actions

In the framework of the exhibition ” Artistic Approaches to the History of Macedonia, 19th-20th century”, the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), organizes a Parallel Program of Activities that includes guided tours, meetings with artists and workshops.

The exhibition includes artworks and archival material from the collection of IMMA, emphasizing the artistic memory that conveys the need for revolution and the vision of the struggles in Macedonia for freedom.

On Saturday 1 June 2024, 11:00-14:00, IMMA invites you to meet and talk to the artists Lazaros Pantos and Stelios Mertzanidis, who will participate in the exhibition with their original works. The two works present the iconic figure of Pavlos Melas and are exhibited for the first time at IMMA, following their donation by the artists themselves.

A few words about the artists

Lazaros Pantos
Lazaros Pantos works in the field of decoration and painting. He studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in London and has studied under Yannis Tsarouchis. After studying painting, he became interested in photographic realism and has also created a series of “contemporary” portraits, using the specific typology and technique of Fayum portraits.  During the 1980s he approached the painting of the European Renaissance and Caravaggio, as well as the Orientalists. He has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions. He taught painting in his private studio and has been engaged in photography, collaborating with important publications.

Stelios Mertzanidis
Stelios Mertzanidis studied Dentistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He is self-taught in ceramics, sculpture and jewelry. He has participated in many group exhibitions. Particularly at Kochlia, the Art Gallery, the Small Art Gallery, Diagonio, the Panhellenic Ceramics Exhibition in Maroussi, Parallel Streets, while his works adorn public spaces in Kontopouli and Myrina on Lemnos.

Exhibition curator: Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor at the University of Macedonia, Director of the Centre for Macedonian History and Documentation Research (KEMIT) of IMMA

Co-editing and coordination of the exhibition: Athina Pavlidou, Philologist-Museologist, Director of the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia

Exhibition Duration: 3 April to 30 September 2024