KSENOI
ξένοι – xènoi (kse/noi) foreigners
25.09.25 – 28.09.25
Curated by Anna Makri
ATOPOS cvc
KSENOI exhibition
Exploring identity, heritage and belonging
What truly defines us? What does it mean to be Greek today? Can identity be rendered as a linear narrative with a beginning, middle, and end?
At the heart of the exhibition is the knot—a complex, enigmatic, and sometimes chaotic form. It can feel frightening, yet it also anchors us to our roots, reminding us of where we come from and where we belong—or once belonged.
We are not looking for answers or solutions. Instead, we open a conversation about the threads that create each of our knots and their significance in shaping who we are.
Open to all levels — from first-timers to seasoned artists — this session invites participants to engage playfully and reflectively with each other through a series of self portrait drawings.
Together we experiment with how we see, feel, and represent both ourselves and those around us, using drawing as a language of empathy, curiosity, and perspective.
KSENOI | STRANGERS
A PORTRAIT DRAWING WORKSHOP
Through fast-paced sketching, rotating partners, and collaborative creations — all designed to encourage interaction and honest, joyful expression.
This workshop will be facilitated by artists Emily George and Anna Makri as part of Women's Artists Art Week (WAAW).
A wholesome evening of drawing each other and ourselves, exploring different perspectives of the idea of self, through different exercises.
We focused on our senses and emotions rather than techniques and got to know each other on different levels,in collaboration with Hacknakey and Benn & Raffs
A creative booklet exploring themes of identity, belonging and heritage through interactive stories and more about ‘KSENOI’
All profits will go towards funding for our next exhibition in Athens, Greece in September 2025.
KSENOI | ZINE EDITION | ISSUE 1
The story of the Knot, inspired by the children's books of Greek writer, Eugenios Trivizas, in which the main character, the Knot, explores the journey of identity and belonging. The participating artists write a collective short story, where the reader chooses how the story will unflod.
We sold over 60 copies in March 2025, ensuring only the right amount of zines were printed, in line with our sustainability policy.
KSENOI
ξένοι – xènoi (kse/noi) foreigners
22.09.23 – 24.09.23
Curated by Anna Makri
KSENOI | EXHIBITION 2023
‘KSENOI’ is a group exhibition that presents new works by seven Greek immigrant female artists based on their visual representation of identity, heritage and emotional journey of immigration through knots. This is an independent exhibition that aims to give a voice to emerging artists and a platform for them to speak on social issues of immigration and share their experience of what it means to be a ‘foreigner’.
Opening Night on 22.09.23
Bringing these artists into conversation for the first time, the multiple facets of the knot are explored as a strong bond, a tie to your country and heritage, but also as a confusion, a tight mess of who you are or where do you belong, something all of us have experienced as immigrants.
Every artist in the space is exploring the idea of their personal KNOT through abstraction, colour, film, photography, textiles and installation.
This exhibition aims to give the artists a voice and an opportunity to showcase their creativity and practise in a safe and familiar environment; a platform for the Greek community to share their experiences and speak on social issues of immigration and how this has shaped their artistic identity. All artists are challenging themselves in their practise and producing new works, with a great focus in collaborative work and emotion.
Throughout the course of exhibition over 400 people attended, leaving their impressions in our book and becoming part of our community
Curation & production: Anna Makri
Production assistant: Petrina Analyti
Featured artists: Valia Kapeletzi, Akti Konstantinou, Marianna Koulianou, Chloe Kountouridou, Anna Makri, Natalia Talamagka, Elektra Xyni
Graphic design: Margarita Koulouri & Anna Makri
Sound curation: Vangelis Makris
Sustainability consultant: Eirini Kourtesi
Special Thanks: Vangelis Makris, Elena Makri, Kirubel Belay, Marina Siati, Vaso Koutra, Eirini Kourtesi, Kostas Koutsodimos, FSSOLLA ceramics, David Curtis-Ring, Luke Findlay, Toby Green, Indra Studios
Supporters:
The Peoples Pirates
Supa Ya
NICE drinks
Forest Road Brewery