Adrianne Dimitrakakis
Adrianne Dimitrakakis instils a sense of place and the flavours of travel through her bright and funky paintings, inspired by a world of colour.
Words: Georgie Ward | Photography: Cait Miers
‘I can’t imagine a time where working in art wouldn’t be my dream job, I feel so lucky and grateful to be working within this field,’ says Adrianne Dimitrakakis. Photo: Paula Ortega
‘I’ve definitely turned to art myself when feeling emotional or as a form of destress. I used to have bad anxiety and my art really helped balance me.’ Photo: Paula Ortega
‘My new work has evolved from the more minimal and highly detailed maps but the vintage looks and theme of travel still remains.’ Photo: Paula Ortega
Adrianne Dimitrakakis creates bold and joyful work from her Byron Bay studio. Photo: Paula Ortega
‘The best lesson I’ve learnt as an artist is learning to let go. In my newer work I’ve craved loose creativity and flow.’ Photo: Paula Ortega
Byron Bay-based Adrianne Dimitrakakis creates works which resemble nostalgic, fun-loving and colourful travel scenes through vintage fonts and texture heavy canvases. Taking her inspiration from all things vintage, she owns a collection of old maps and postcards from all over the world, as well as magazines and travel brochures to inspire retro fonts and graphics.
Splashing her canvas with bold, bright colours, Adrianne paints the colours of the rainbow using high vibrancy pigments in her vintage-vibe artworks.
She utilises acrylic and plaster to layer a dynamic painting, creating harsh, textured plaster layers to resemble a paved wall. ‘The imperfections and harshness add to the rustic feel of my work, and the pigments add a fresh and dramatic colour hit,’ says Adrianne.
Adrianne didn’t always work so bold and bright. Before she landed on her current artistic style, she illustrated maps of different places, working only in black and white which left her work simple and beautiful.
She drew maps of the places she visited, as well as commissions for clients and their own travels, were they shared secret travel spots and exchanged stories. However, in previous years Adrianne had a craving for colour, which was when she discovered a more vibrant palette.
‘I’m so inspired by the colours of travel, and the colours of walls when travelling overseas which helps add the bold colours that reflect a place. I love how places like Mexico are bold enough to paint their whole house pink or bright green!’
‘I’ve always loved colour - you should see some of the crazy eyeshadows I used to wear. I was a huge fan of bold colours,’ says Adrianne Dimitrakakis. Photo: Cait Miers
“I’ve always loved textured peeling walls and old signage. I wanted to create art that looks like you’ve picked up an old wall mural and hung it up in your home.”
‘It’s so freeing being able to create whatever you want working as an artist, and to express yourself or your thoughts in this way,’ says Adrianne Dimitrakakis. Photo: Paula Ortega
‘During my days at the studio, I usually try get down to the beach at some point. On a busy day, seeing or being in the water makes me feel a bit lighter, and all my good ideas come to me at the beach,’ says Adrianne Dimitrakakis. Photo: Paula Ortega
Travel is what keeps Adrianne inspired. ‘As you get older, you gain more perspective and go through growth, meaning you notice more and more as you travel’.
Since a young age, Adrianne has always loved Greek and Egyptian history, and travelled to the Greek islands as a child. Travelling at a young age opened her eyes to new places and sparked her curiosity with culture and the dreaming of unvisited places.
With covid inhibiting travel, and commitment to her full-time job as an artist, travelling isn’t always possible. However, living in Byron, Adrianne finds herself in a dreamy place by the beach, and with people from all walks of life.
‘Living here, I have made so many friends from different countries. Sometimes it keeps the travel feeling alive - especially during Covid times. Being able to hear about their home towns, culture and learn their language is what keeps me inspired’.
Adrianne describes her latest exhibition, Welcome To The Tropics, at Brunswick Street Gallery, as a welcome sign to the home, and a warm invitation into the world of travel. In her work she aims to reflect herself, creating pieces she would hang in her own home, channeling joy and hoping to occasionally get a laugh out of her viewers.
‘Some pieces have a funny tongue in cheek caption in another language which makes me laugh, I wanted to bring humour, fun and high spirits to people through my art.’
WELCOME TO THE TROPICS BY ADRIANNE DIMITRAKAKIS AT BRUNSWICK STREET GALLERY
FROM 27TH OCTOBER - 13TH NOVEMBER 2022
Level 1 & 2 322 Brunswick Street, Wurundjeri Country, Fitzroy