In Dimitris Milionis' most recent paintings, the traces of Greek culture are more than obvious; they symbolize references to the Greek cultural traditions, the Byzantine art of icon painting, and the miniature paintings of the Middle Ages. At the same time, they are simple geometrical compositions with a strong surrealistic blend. Characteristic samples of the artist's work can be seen at www.milionis.gr/projects.html.
Seascapes, the Aegean Sea, the coasts with kiosks that evoke images from the times of Orthodoxy—as imprinted in icons. Scenes of feasts with bottles of wine, flowers in vases, and kites flying in the sky merge with religious festivals and rituals held in sacred places.
The absence of people in these landscapes and the presence of surreal details strengthen the sense of no-time. Human action is implied in the kites above, the children's balls below. For the artist, curtains in motion symbolize life—human or divine mysteries unfolding within buildings.
Everyday life and religious feeling are deeply intertwined. The classic pediment becomes a symbol of love; it is the heart. The Fish, a timeless Christian symbol, is linked to the watermelon, the pear, and other fruits—symbols of fertility in Western European painting.
This scene-painted reality—a composition of memories and experiences—reminds viewers of personal voyages and stories, like those told by the patrons of fish taverns and cafés in the West, when a new promising day begins, leaving behind the present.