BROOKLYN – Greek photographer Petros Sofikitis presents his first overseas solo exhibition, dedicated to all things that lead to one’s fall and rebirth opening on Friday, Apr. 28 at 8 PM at 147 Metropolitan Avenue, 2^nd floor, in Brooklyn. The exhibition will take place in an atmospheric loft with the works suspended by ropes in an irregular manner, evoking a visual maze and 20% of every sale will be donated to the charity organization Axion Hellas.

“What color is isolation? How are misguided journeys mirrored on one’s face? How fine is the line that separates the beginning from the end?,” are a few of the questions explored, according to the press release for the exhibition.

The description of the exhibition continues, “Five intriguing characters, with different experiences and theories of life, physically exhausted and psychologically drained, are identified in Hinterland, a land where life begins and ends, having one thing in common: an acceptance of their mental breakdowns.

Sofikitis, using dramatic light sources and choosing five locations from across Greece as his backdrop, ideal in creating an emotionally charged atmosphere, targets five different characters and psychoanalyzes them through his lens.

Egoistic behavior that results in narcissism, careless decisions that wreck the soul, repetitive life patterns that push happiness away and hold firmly onto frozen smiles, unfulfilling love affairs that lead to the disorientation of one’s emotional journey, and destructive habits that subordinate the soul. All this is flawlessly depicted on the heavily made-up faces of the heroes in Hinterland; providing that it is at this moment when man believes in his own downfall, that it will come unforgiving and raging.

Hinterland is a mind game. A maze that traps one’s thoughts within its intricate pathways, immersing them in darkness. And yet, the isolation experienced by these heroes is not real. It is an illusion. This realization is what leads to rebirth. Since there is always a silver lining that encourages you to follow the light, leaving the darkness behind you. There is always hope. Sofikitis magnificently captures this hope in the face of a woman and the red balloon she holds – a symbol of both the soul’s revival and rebirth.”

According to his biography, after graduating from Napier University, Petros Sofikitis returned to Greece in 2008 and began his professional journey shadowing Dimitris Sofikitis, his father and a renowned photographer in his own right. A creative and restless soul, he began his own photographic explorations, and in 2011 he established, together with his brother Constantinos, a company that offers photographic services specializing mainly in travel and wedding photography.

Abstract and with a unique ability to tame natural sources of light to his advantage, Petros manages, through the spontaneous subject matter of his images, to trigger strong emotions and welcome the audience to accompany him on his photographic journeys.

A photo by Greek photographer Petros Sofikitis whose first solo overseas exhibition opens in Brooklyn. Photo: Courtesy of Constantinos and Petros Sofikitis

He now collaborates with Google Greece and TedxAthens, and as of 2017, his photographs have captured the attention of both Eurobank and FoxHellas leading to collaborations with both. He has taken part and been awarded in a number of renowned competitions, among others the SWPP competition where he received the title of ‘Contemporary Portrait Photographer of the Year’ in 2011.

Member of the newly founded charity organization Axion Hellas, Petros travels to remote areas of Greece in order to capture the pains, joys, hard work, and relief of all those fighting for survival, for a better life. His work has often been reproduced by some of the largest Greek online media channels, whilst his solo exhibitions have taken place in some of the most important galleries and renowned exhibition spaces in Athens.

More information is available online at www.psofikitis.com, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/petros.sofikitis, and on Instagram:petrossofikitis.

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