Malvina Panagiotidi
All Dreams Are Vexing

What if women ruled the world? Since December 2023, the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMΣT) has been undergoing a transformation orchestrated by a coalition of international women artists, who are seeking to reimagine the institution through the lens of female empowerment and gender equality. Spearheaded by the museum’s director, Katerina Gregos, this evolution is unfurling through a captivating series of exhibitions dedicated to women artists and those identifying as female. 

Among these vibrant expressions is the show All Dreams Are Vexing, curated by Anna Mykoniati, featuring the reflections of Greek visual artist Malvina Panagiotidi. Panagiotidi’s solo exhibition stems from research conducted at the residence of Eleni Boukoura-Altamoura in Spetses. Boukoura-Altamoura (1821 – 1900) stands as a pioneering figure, being the first Greek woman to pursue a formal art education, which she achieved while disguised as a man. Today, she is widely recognized as one of the earliest and most influential female painters in the history of modern Greece. However, her legacy transcends mere artistic prowess, delving deep into the realms of personal tragedy. Haunted by the devastating loss of her children to tuberculosis, Boukoura-Altamoura’s psyche succumbed to turmoil, leading her to seclude herself within the confines of her island abode. There, she immersed herself in the enigmatic world of spiritualism, seeking connection with her departed offspring through mystical rites. Panagiotidi’s tribute to Boukoura-Altamoura takes an unconventional path, moving away from romanticism for a contemporary interpretation.