CAMOUFLAGE
About CAMOUFLAGE
My latest collection of artworks is called “Camouflage”
The art of transforming ourselves with make-up and masks is a universal phenomenon. Before we sought to vent our artistic impulse on a cave wall, we painted on our faces and bodies. The shapes and colours convey a strong bond and meaning. It is like a connection to the past, a colourful and dynamic language. People painted their bodies and faces for camouflage when they went hunting or in their religious festivities, dance and drama. So through these portraits I give meanings. It is an expression of Art. A theatre of life. Life as I see it.
Annita Apostolidou Platis
Painter - Fashion and Jewelry designer - Stylist - Poet - Photographer
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© copyright 2020 -2021 by Annita Apostolidou Platis. All rights reserved
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ANTICIPATION Artwork
“Anticipation” is my artwork inspired from African tribes and cultures. They believed that the hair ornaments and styles have a way to communicate with the Divine Being. All patterns and colours have meaning. Colours have significance throughout all cultures and speaks to our individual personalities and thinking, influencing our emotions and also affecting lives. The colour blue is associated with open spaces, freedom, signifies peace and unity. The colour green demonstrates renewal, purple symbolizes wisdom and black is power. “Anticipation” artwork has the meaning of new beginning, new life. It is all about spiritual energy.
SERENITY Artwork
“Serenity” is my artwork inspired from India which is the country of symbolic colours. It is an expression of faith and beliefs. The symbolism of colour stands out and controls every aspect of life. Blue indicates a person with a stable mind. Gold is about trust and purity. “Serenity” painting symbolizes inner peace and calmness. As the ancient Ionian Greek philosopher Pythagoras said: Learn silence. With the quiet serenity of a meditative mind, listen, absorb, transcribe, and transform.
FORESIGHT Artwork
“Foresight” is my artwork inspired from Asian culture, myths and the Japanese art of makeup. Asian theatre generally includes the most sophisticated face painting designs in the world. Eyes scare away evil spirits. Red express the positive Yang. It is for protection from evil. White is closely linked to the spiritual world. Black is about fear. Transformational makeup can portray the supernatural. Face tattoos are for protection from bad spirits. Gold is the colour of the sun. “Foresight” painting symbolizes gods’ power and mercy. It shows the inner strength and the power to see beyond.
HUNTER Artwork
“Hunter” is my artwork inspired from Native American Symbols. Early Native Americans said that when a feather falls to the earth, it transfers the energy from the bird to a human being. It is perceived as an unexpected gift, one that arrives unforeseen, but not without purpose. A plumage from a raven is thought to impart knowledge. It is a symbol of enlightenment. People wore evil eye as a talisman around the neck as means of protection from illness and against the bad luck. Not only would the symbol protect them from their enemies, it could also absorb their opponent’s power. Regarded as a symbol of strength and supernatural powers. “Hunter” painting symbolizes a uniting force between things earthly and spiritual. A true warrior, a symbol of balance, skill, and foresight.
“HIDE” and “SEEK” Artworks
“Hide” and “Seek” are my artworks both inspired from Native American Symbols and their spiritual history. The feather, for example, is a powerful symbol that signifies honour and a connection between the owner, the Creator, and the bird from which the feather came. It symbolizes trust, honour, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. It is an object that is deeply revered and a sign of high honour. Native American warriors were awarded a feather when they won a battle or were particularly brave in war. When a feather falls to the earth, it is believed to carry all of the bird's energy, and it is perceived as a gift from the sky, the sea, and the trees. Feathers may arrive unexpectedly but not without a purpose. Each type of feather represents something different. In Native culture, the feathers symbolize what is highest, bravest, strongest, and holiest. It is like a strong medicine. “Hide” and “Seek” paintings symbolize sacred messengers between earth and sky.
UNCONDITIONALLY Artwork
“Unconditionally” is my painting from my latest collection of artworks called “Camouflage”. It is inspired from the cactus, the wild plant that can survive in new environments and situations. The spiritual meaning behind the cactus is symbolized in its hard protective exterior, its endurance and strength. The word “cactus” comes from a Greek word “kaktos” which of course is a plant that has spiny thistles to protect it. The name “Tenochtitlan”—the original name of Mexico City—translates to “place of the cactus rock”. Cacti were also an important part of Aztec spiritual beliefs. They believed sacrificing people on top of cacti would please their gods. It was believed that the cactus upon which the sacrifice occurred acted as a pivot or portal between worlds. While it may not be recognized for its beauty, the real beauty and treasure of the cactus come from the inside, with its unique ability to store water. It reminds you to stay strong, endure and remember that the essence of both your truth and your beauty from within. The cactus symbolizes warmth, protection and endurance. The cactus flower is a symbol of maternal love because it can endure and thrive in harsh conditions and therefore symbolic of a mother's unconditional love.
TRANSCENDENCE Artwork
“Transcendence” is my painting from my latest collection of artworks called “Camouflage”. It is inspired from the strength of black diamonds and the elegance of magnolia flowers.
Diamonds, in general, have long been considered to be a symbol of wealth and power. Some cultures also consider them to have divine origins. In ancient Egypt diamonds were representative of the sun, representing courage and truth. The Egyptians believed in a Sun god, Ra, making diamonds a divine symbol even if uncut. Similarly, the Greeks considered diamonds to be the tears of the gods, and owning them was considered a blessing. Even in Medieval Europe, diamonds were considered a miracle cure for illness. Black diamonds, known as carbonados by the Portuguese, are the same mineral as all other colours of diamond. Ancient Indians saw diamonds as such a perfect form of protection from evil, that they shouldn’t even be cut out of fear that they’d lose their power. These dark gems are seen as a link between the physical and spirit world. Black diamonds represent inner strength and justice and can give you the power to create your own future.
Magnolias symbolized dignity and nobility. In ancient China, magnolias were thought to be the perfect symbols of womanly beauty and gentleness. In the American South, white magnolias are commonly seen in bridal bouquets because the flowers are thought to reflect and emphasize the bride's purity and nobility. Every flower hides a secret meaning and symbolism behind it.
Some of the symbols of the magnolia tree include nobility, perseverance, beauty, purity, endurance, love of nature, health, joy, and others.
Because of its resistance, magnolia flowers tend to live for many years. This is why one of the symbols that Magnolias represents is endurance. Magnolias are not delicate flowers, even though they may seem like they are. They also represent eternity and long life, because they know that once they bloom they will continue to bloom for a long time.
Pink petals represent the feminine side, and they are often associated to love goddesses such as Aphrodite or Venus. They also bring a sense of welcoming into any house. White petals represent the moon, and they are often associated with the lunar goddesses such as Selene or Artemis. Yellow petals represent the sun, and they are often associated with the solar goddess such as Medusa or Sunna.
Etymological speaking, the name Magnolia comes from the French botanist who discovered that plants belonged to families, and his name was Pierre Magnol (1638-1715). Many believe that this is the real origin of the name Magnolia but others disagree. In the East, the Magnolia flower is called hou po and many cultures around the world use their own names and nicknames for this beautiful flower.The Magnolia tree is very strong, thus, the strength of the character is often associated with this name. Magnolia flowers are associated with the Yin, which is also the feminine side. Magnolia benefits have been known since ancient times. In its traditional medicine, the Chinese and Japanese have used the medicinal extract of her bark for 2000 years. Today, this extract is used in medicine, but mostly in the cosmetics industry.
The message behind the Magnolia flower is to always be stable in life and to go through life with your head up high.
SECOND CHANCE Artwork
“Second Chance” is my painting from my latest collection of artworks called “Camouflage”. It is inspired from the power of a rose that act as a metaphor for life and the deep connection that a butterfly has with the souls.
In Greek mythology, roses originated from Adonis, the deity of plants and rebirth. As Adonis grew, he became an avid hunter. One day while he was hunting, Adonis came across Ares, one of Aphrodite’s past lovers, who was disguised as a wild boar. Ares attacked Adonis and when Aphrodite heard his screams, she ran into the forest and found him dying. The blood that ran from his wounds hit the ground and turned into roses.
A rose is most commonly associated with love and romance but can also mean secrecy or symbolizes purity and is a reminder to cleanse the mind. It also signifies unfolding wisdom and also means balance. It’s also a reminder of purity, clarity, and transparency of intent.
The butterfly meaning and the concept of the symbolism take root from the cycle of the butterfly life. The cycle itself defines the spiritual meaning of the butterfly and provides a lot of insight for us. The spiritual meaning of butterfly relates to the need for meditation and depicts the essence of resurrection. Just as the butterfly awakens and is ready to fly after transforming, we too must emerge after being reborn and refined into a new being.
In the Mayan and Aztec mythology, a butterfly represents Xiutecutli, the God of fire. The Greeks also refer to the butterfly with metaphysical regard. Aristotle called the butterfly by the name ‘Psyche,’ a Greek word meaning ‘soul.’ The American tribes also feature the butterfly in several of their legends. Certain tribes consider the butterfly as a symbol of joy. A symbol of our dreams, while some considered it a medium of communication from lost loved ones.
DUBBIO Artwork
Dubbio (Doubt in English) is my painting from my latest collection of artworks called “Camouflage”. It is inspired from leaves, their hidden power, even their hidden danger. Sometimes doubts confuse and kill what you really want or desire.
Leaves are Life and Death. They represent the Cycle of Life. Because although the leaf dies, life goes on. So if we kill doubts we can remove obstacles and continue our journey, our dreams and goals. A leaf even when it appears in a dream, is seen as a great symbol of growth or progress or rebirth or new beginnings.
Monstera deliciosa is a tropical plant native to rainforests of Central America from southern Mexico to Panama. Monsteras are grown for their fruit in Mexico and Costa Rica. The name is Monstera deliciosa because of the delicious large fruit they produce. Their leaves become giant, hence the name “monster fruit,” and can be quite dramatic, with variegation patterns that are dark green and after a while they turn into white.
It's said that Monstera deliciosa represents suffocation because of the rapidly growing leaf-bearing vine and aerial roots. Also it may represent a Hidden Danger – A leaf can also symbolize hidden dangers because usually there will be predators that hide beneath the bushes or leaves to overwhelm their prey. According to Chinese symbolism, Monstera represents longevity, honor, and respect.
Gold Leaves in my artwork have also a meaning. When leaves fall to the ground they die and turn gold, but the nutrients that are still inside them do not simply vanish or evaporate. Instead, they are absorbed by the soil and redistributed to the roots of nearby trees, thus helping them grow healthier leaves for the next season. This is symbolic of how death is not entirely the end. As the great Albus Dumbledore pointed out, death is but the next great adventure. Golden leaves thus remind us to always look at the bigger picture to realize that endings are not necessarily bad and may lead to better things in the future. From the other hand Green Leaves represent abundance and the flourishing of life. Green leaves remind us of the peak of life.
