What Women Make: Snapshots of Greece

*lead photo by Venia Bechrakis

With Greece making the headlines for its economic woes, I was inspired to go on the hunt for modern female talent from the birthplace of democracy and give it some positive attention.  Some of my picks have been around awhile, some are fresh on the scene. They come from sculpture, photography, fashion, jewelry, and of course there’s that one certain Greek media mogul who’s in a class of her own. Also check out TEDxAthens and the accomplishments of Katerina Aifantis who at 24 has already been called a rising star with the potential to be a world class scientist. Then on the lighter side is Greece is for Lovers worth checking out for their fun, cheeky design products.

Photographer, Venia Bechrakis, (from the lead photo of this post) is a native of Athens and received her MFA at NYU. “Whether in a grocery store, the airport, the subway or on a Manhattan street, the artist’s portraits remind us of women’s work and that ever-tenuous balance between one’s private and public life.” -Holly Block, Director Bronx Museum for the Arts

Mary Katrantzou , fashion designer from Athens “is among the second wave of breakout stars of the digital print revolution that has been sweeping London.” – Style.com”

Alexandra Bletsas’ prize-winning cityscape rings.

Aspa Gutmeni’s post-it note interior design. She is the leader and sole female designer at a firm called 3ducci out of Athens.

And from an exhibit in Holland where eleven Greek jewelry designers showed their work there’s Marina Zachou roses and thorns bracelet.

and Marina Gouromihou on the Greek jewelry design site MyPrecious.gr”

In a class of her own of course is Greek-American Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post. Here she is at 24.

Wednesday • March 10, 2010 • by Chauncey Zalkin

Category: Alexandra Bletsas, Arianna Huffington, Blog, Designers, Fashion, Greece, Holly Block, Jewelry, Mary Katrantzou, Photography, Science, Venia Bechrakis