Polina Sapouna-Ellis : norms of Symmetria
Simplicity and symmetry are fundamental norms of ancient Greek art and the source of Polina Sapouna-Ellis’ inspiration. She views each piece of jewellery as a sculpture, a small structure born out of a concept, urging her to define how it will invade space; should it be large or small, shiny, matte, timid, assertive. Her designs are a fusion of all that surrounds her both physically and conceptually.
‘My approach to jewellery design stems from the architectural perspective. Symmetria, the ancient Greek concept of counterbalance is fundamental. I believe in the power of geometry’. As an archaeologist, ancient Greek shapes and motifs permeate Polina Sapouna-Ellis designs.
The collections Dorian, Meander or Antithesis are triggered by the austere simplicity of ancient Greek norms.
DORIAN is inspired from the austere simplicity of the ancient Greek Doric art.
MEANDER is inspired from the ancient Greek geometric motif of meander.
ANTITHESIS is inspired by geometric shapes of the ancient Greek art.
The Greek landscape, the sea – Thálassa – infuses and invigorates her work as well. It was the sea that spawned her collection Kyma – wave. The human condition also inspires her. All the pieces in her ‘convertible’ collection Connection worn in various ways, reflect the human need to connect. Tethrippon collection is inspired by a tethrippon (quadriga) of the Acropolis Museum, from the classical period.
KYMA means wave. Inspired by the beauty of the sea, ruled by Poseidon in Greek mythology.
CONNECTION is inspired by the human need to connect.
TETHRIPPON is inspired by a tethrippon of the Acropolis Museum, from the classical period.
Polina Sapouna-Ellis, born in Germany, is an archaeologist by training, with a Doctorate in Classical Archaeology from the University of Heidelberg in Germany. She excavated on the islands of Crete and Evoia for many years with renowned Greek archaeologists Yanni & Effie Sakellaraki. She also studied History of Art, and is an accomplished painter. Her life among invaluable treasures of ancient art, as well as her own need to create, led her to painting and ultimately to her true passion: jewellery design.
