Katherine Grigorakou

Photography as emotion

By CREAM ATHENS    |     September 2020  

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? 

My name is Katerina. I was born and raised in Athens, Greece. I studied European and International Relations in the University of Piraeus. After that, I was kind of looking to do something with my artistic nature, which was always there as a side project. The first time that I actually thought ‘’Mmm, this would be nice to have as a career’’ was when I was responsible for the brochure of my university’s drama play. I fell in love with the whole process of creating and bringing to life a vision. Which led me to a year abroad for my Master’s in the History of Law, which of course led to photography lessons. I did a whole year of Darkroom Development which made me of course fall more in love with photography, and realised that this was the path I was supposed to take from the very beginning. Cut to, two years ago, where I enrolled to Photography School and got my diploma as well as finishing my second Master’s in Cultural Administration.

Can you tell us more about the subject matter of your work?  

For me photography is an expression of emotion. I try as much as I can to capture feelings in the photos I take. I would say my work is based on aesthetics, emotions, minimalism, romance, love and freedom. Lately, I have been trying to collide my two favourite worlds : photography and collages. Mostly, using my photographs in collages. Sometimes, they help you send the message a lot better and in a cute way. When I am travelling, I get to do my favourite type of photography which is street photography. There is something raw and interesting every time you try to capture a moment starring a stranger. No concept, no ideas just the person, the place and the moment.

What motivates you and which are your biggest influences?

My motivation is that I have to create as much as I can. When I am creating, I feel at peace. I just love the feeling of creating. It could be the smallest thing but it can give me immense joy and peace. My biggest influence is probably everything I see.  It could be a movie, a song, a picture, a painting, a poem or even a memory.

 The artists I admire are Jean-Michel Basquiat and Frida Kahlo. And as far as photographers, I love looking at the work of Vivian Meyer, Martin Parr, Harry Benson as well as Michael Putland.

Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?

My dream collaboration would be to create an album cover for an artist. It could be a photograph or a collage. I don’t have a specific person in mind, but if anyone of the artists I admire asked me to do it, I would happily do. 

What have you been working on at the moment? What’s next?

Due to the current situation, I mostly created art with all the supplies I had at home. Mostly looking through some old stuff, and recreating. I recently did a fun photoshoot, mainly showcasing the current situation with a little bit of hope for the future.

Follow Katherine Grigorakou on Instagram and check her website.

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