Fotopoulou Maria

Mitos

I was born in Greece. I live and work in Thessaloniki as a Jewellery Designer.
My studies started at Silversmithing and Jewellery Design school in Greece. I continued my studies in Florence, Italy and then in Vicenza, Italy where I studied for five years.
Recently in order to develop my artistic skills, I have attended specialized seminars at the University of the Arts Central Saint Martins, London.

Since 2002 I teach in various public and private institutions like MOKUME school, Laboratory of Fine and Applied Art in the municipality of Thessaloniki, Cultural IEK (Institute of Vocational Training) of Thessaloniki, IEK-OAED of Oreokastro, IEK of Evosmos, Municipality of Kilkis, EPAS (Vocational School) of Oreokastro and – through ELKA – I have also taught in Goldsmiths’ Associations in Lesbos, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Heraklion, Serres and Ioannina.

In 2013 I created the jewellery Studio “Oraisis” where I teach design and manufacturing of contemporary jewellery. At the same time, I work as a design consultant in various companies and goldsmiths. During my partnership with a jewellery company, I had the privilege to design a Jewellery collection for the official shops of Olympic Games 2004 in Athens.

TEXTURE COLLECTIONS
In my jewellery collection, with absolute admiration to polymorphous nature, observing and trying to interpret what I see, I create organic forms as well as elaborate and dynamic shapes and some others derived from experimentation. Working in conditions of pressure in high-low temperatures, following the laws of physics, I push my material to its limits for days until I am satisfied. Without touching it, I leave the material free to give birth to the shape and texture. Keeping an elegant and refined design, I use precious metals like silver, gold and precious stones like diamonds, sapphires, tourmalines, pearls and every other stone that causes my attention.