Discovering the Soul of Mediterranean Art with Christina Mandilari

In the heart of Athens, on the vibrant Didotou Street, lies the studio and showroom of Naked Summers, a brand that exquisitely captures the essence of Mediterranean aesthetics. Founded in 2020 by the talented Greek painter and ceramist Christina Mandilari, Naked Summers brings to life the beauty and emotion of the sea through unique collections of wall art, textiles, and ceramics.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of our Greek island-inspired fragrance, Hydra Figue, we had the pleasure of speaking with Christina. Her creations are not just art pieces; they are expressions of the soul, deeply rooted in the Mediterranean culture and its timeless allure. Join us as we delve into the inspirations and stories behind her captivating work.

Photo credit: Joseph Alexiadis

Where do you find inspiration?

I have always been very connected to the Mediterranean culture, its symbols, lifestyle, mythology & nature. The world of the sea & the emotions it evokes has always fascinated me. They say all life on earth originates from the salty water. To me this is so beautiful and lyrical. 

What are your favourite materials to work with?

During the last years I have been doing a lot of painting on ceramics. I feel clay has a special effect on me. It calms me a lot and I love how I can give my paintings a new dimension on the clay surface. In order to create one ceramic hand-painted piece there are specific steps (like with every handmade artwork) which I follow as rituals. Next to clay I love painting on textiles to create my to-wear collections.

Photo credit: Joseph Alexiadis

What feelings do you hope to evoke in your work?
My figures and shapes are depicted in a linear almost abstract way. I use a lot of colour and the protagonists of my stories is usually a couple immersed in their romance, a majestic mermaid, or a solo sunbather who enjoys the sunset by the sea . Shared memories of eternal summers that we all lived or will live, dreamt of, hoped for. I wish my work to evoke happy feelings, serenity, bliss and the nostalgia of the sea.

How do you take time to recharge?

The best way to recharge for me is it to take the afternoon off and drive to the beach. Once you get there everything goes away. As this cannot always be the case I try to do some small things everyday like reading my book, working out, taking a nice walk with a tasty coffee in my favourite spots of the city.

Photo credit: Joseph Alexiadis

What was your experience of the island, Hydra?

Hydra is a place with unique character that blends the greek aesthetics and tradition with an artistic and cosmopolitan energy. I was lucky to visit the island during spring. The smell of first Mediterranean blossoms were filling up the air and the colours were impossible to gasp. I took the first dives of the season at Hydronetta that was already full of sunbathers and I can't wait to spend more time there.

Is there a scent that holds significance to you?

The smell of fig trees and the smell of rain. In the garden of the house I grew up there was a huge fig tree. I used to climb it and I remember how impatient I was for August, once the figs were ready, it was summer’s final treat. The scent of fig brings me back these memories of bliss and being carefree. It also reminisces the prosperity and the balance a life close to nature can promise. The smell of rain is a scent that soothes me. When it rains it is like nature asking you to stay still for a while. It calms me and grounds me.

Which other artists inspire you?

There are many visual artists from the past & present that I feel very connected to. Our style, expression & narratives are similar, like we use the same alphabets or have the same dreams. The biggest inspiration though comes to me from artists from different fields and especially poetry & music. For instance, during this time of my life I am very inspired by Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine. Her music captivates me, the lyrics of her songs find a spot in my imagination and create stories in my head that I later on might translate into paintings.

If you'd like to try your hand at creating work with the guidance of Christina herself, join us for a one-time-only event on the island of Hydra on the 2nd of August, where you can take part in exclusive ceramic painting workshop led by Naked Summers. Join us for this special occasion and immerse yourself in the artistic spirit of Hydra. Tickets are available here.