Artwork
Κορμός κόρης
Κορμός κόρης is a photography by Elias Dekoulakos. It dates from 1972 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus.
About this work
He used a spray gun to blur edges, making bodies look almost like statues.
This black-and-white photo shows a young woman’s torso from behind. The smooth skin turns rough where shadows hit her shoulder. The background is a plain wall that seems to swallow the light.
Dekoulakos shot this during Greece’s 1967 dictatorship. He used a spray gun to blur edges, making bodies look almost like statues. His images asked hard questions about beauty and control.
Look up Dekoulakos, Elias (1929-1988) to see more of his bold work.
Overview
Elias Dekoulakos's "Torso of a Young Woman" is a black-and-white photograph from his series created during the 1967 Greek dictatorship, characterized by harsh photographic realism and social-political commentary.
Subject & Meaning
Depicting a young woman's torso from behind against a stark, light-absorbing background, the image juxtaposes smooth and rough textures, inviting reflection on beauty standards and control, particularly under oppressive regimes.
Technique & Style
Shot in black-and-white, the photograph employs a spray gun technique to blur edges, lending the subject a statue-like quality, while the interplay of shadows (notably on the shoulder) adds depth and symbolism.
History & Provenance
Created during the 1967-1974 Greek dictatorship, the work was part of a controversial 1973 solo exhibition at the Athens Art Gallery 'Hilton', known for its provocative combinations of enlarged body parts and objects.
Context
The piece is set against the backdrop of Greece's military dictatorship (1967-1974), with Dekoulakos's series serving as a form of visual protest through its blend of realism and social critique.
Legacy
As part of Dekoulakos's bold and provocative body of work, "Torso of a Young Woman" contributes to his reputation for challenging societal norms and political oppression through innovative photographic techniques.
Artist & collection
Museum
Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
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