Untitled

Σωσώ Χουτοπούλου-Κονταράτου
68 x 47,5 cm
MCA.MMCA.C438
Engraving

Sosso Houtopoulou-Contaratou was born in 1923 in Athens. She attended courses at the preliminary department of the A.S.K.T. in 1943-1944 and then in 1947 she went to Geneva, where she studied industrial design at the École des Arts et Metiers, sculpture at the Académie Henri Paquet, liberal studies in literature at the University of the same city, and goldsmithing in Lausanne with the goldsmith Marcel Nieuwmunster. From 1972-74 she collaborated with the Zolotas Gold Collection and presented her works at international jewellery exhibitions. She presented her work in solo exhibitions and among her participations in group and international events are the Biennale of Buenos Ayres (1960-64), Alexandria (1963, 1970), Engraving (Ljubljana, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, Krakow, 1976, 1978, 1980 and Friedrikstad, 1976, 1978, 1980), Avanguardia e Sperimentazione (Modena, Venice, 1978), Avanguardia e Sperimentazione (Modena, Venice, 1978). She died in 1984 in Athens. Her work is distinguished for its strictly geometric compositions, which are based, in some cases, on alternating curves and straight lines, on the visual use of empty parts, on the rhythmic and harmonious repetition of similar units. In the early 1970s, the artist abandoned the prominent works to move on to wall-based three-dimensional compositions, which are also based on the same compositional principles.