With the sound of crashing sea waves and the hot feeling of sand under bare feet, Marina Emphietzi’s story starts in Famagusta, Cyprus. Her family’s childhood home built along the scenic coastline, she spent most of her days by the beach. It’s here that she came to know the limitless freedom of the Ocean. Surrounded by the vivid landscapes of Cyprus, art came naturally to Marina. Her heart’s desire was to study art, although she would pursue a successful career in hotel management and marketing before finally achieving her life-long dream. She has studied at the prestigious schools of Central St-Martins and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMASS).
At the age of 14, Emphietzi lost her home in the trauma of war. The ocean and its waters, full of life and possibility, are a part of her most joyful memories. They are from which she draws inspiration in her work and why her pieces have the power to evoke strong feelings of nostalgia and freedom. A world traveller, Marina has called many places home. The man-made beaches of Dubai, the crowded markets of Ethiopia, and now, the grey skies of London, U.K., each brings their own colour palette to Marina’s current work. Created with robust energy, her paintings have playful textures and a distinct style. They bring to the surface lost memories of being near water, the sound of rumbling waves, the feeling of a warm breeze across the skin. A metaphor of the transient human experience, her artwork suggests we flow through the journey through life, ever-changing and free.
Self-taught or art school?
The Dubai International Arts Centre (DIAC)
Central St. Martin’s college of Art in London.
If you could own one work of art what would it
‘The Snowstorm’ by J. M. Turner (1842)
(Turner explores the extreme weather at sea where the steamboat is shown at the centre of a storm and used as an example of Turner’s direct engagement with the world around him. The small ship, being overpowered by water and wind, is a symbol of human’s efforts to overcome the forces of nature).
How would you describe your style?
I create modern, expressionist artworks in a semi-abstract style inspired mostly by the marine environment. I use strong tonal forms and a vivid colour palette.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My work explores issues of time, life and memory. I create engaging artworks in a distinct semi-abstract style inspired mostly by water and the marine environment.
Is narrative important within your work?
No, I wouldn’t say so.
My artworks bring to the surface lost memories of being near water, the sound of rumbling waves, the feeling of a warm breeze across the skin. A metaphor of the transient human experience, with artwork, suggesting we flow through the journey through life, ever-changing and free. The titles I give to my artworks could be the narrative which I always accompany with a short text.
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Who are your favourite artists and why?
J.M. Turner (1775-1851)
Turner was known for his expressive colourisations, imaginative landscapes and turbulent, often violent marine paintings, the immediacy of personal experience, emotion, and the boundless power of imagination. Turner painted many pictures exploring the extreme weather at sea.
Why? I find a lot of similarities in my approach to painting the sea (and I don’t mean that I am trying to copy).
Chu Teh – Chun (1920-2014)
A Chinese French abstract painter acclaimed for his pioneering style integrating traditional Chinese painting techniques with Western abstract art.
Why? I find his works to be so expressive. His paintings talk to me.
Peter Pharoah (South African artist)
Why? I love his technique and colour palette especially his wildlife collections.
What or who inspires your art?
…. The sea – it’s representative of my fascination with water as a source of energy, as power over humans and living creatures and the ‘boats’ in it symbolise the mean to the journey of life.
The boats, to be more precise, symbolise time, happiness, sadness, achievements, dreams and moods.
My personal challenge is to create scenes that evoke feelings and emotions; as if I am there on that beach where I grew up, where I can still feel my toes walking on the warm sand and where sometimes the wind brushes my face as I ran against it.
Where is your studio and what is it like?
I have a small, well-lit home studio in North London; full of easels, lights, computers, journals, books, and a desk—it is ‘my refuge from the outside world’.
Do you have any studio rituals?
A combination of my favourite music and… turpentine smells.
What are you working on currently?
I am currently working on a new body of work on seascapes, and I am soon releasing a new series of 20 small original works on paper called ‘Shades of water’. It will be a one-time deal only for this series where you can get an original for the price of a print. Stay tuned for the release soon.
Where can we buy your art?
You can contact me directly at: marina.emphietzi@gmail.com
or on Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/marina.emphietzi/
or website: www:marinaemphietzi.com
