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Irene
Papaefthemiou

Portfolio:
The Obscure Familiar

The Obscure Familiar is a multiyear project shot on medium-format color negative film and hand-printed in the color darkroom. The work examines the tension between closeness and unfamiliarity in family relationships challenged by geographic and emotional distance, speaking to the alienation often accompanying emigration and country of origin. The project also explores ideas related to the quiet power of nature as an impartial and thus trustworthy refuge, while documenting man's interventions. Limited edition chromogenic prints.

An elderly woman's hand is shown emerging from a hot pink striped towel while getting a haircut and there is a small image of Jesus on the table.

The twinkle of lights on a small village hillside are contrasted by a fading sunset over the hill, while a perched figure illuminated in green light is shown from behind.

A woman sitting at a table with a glass of water, wearing sunglasses, and sitting in dappled sunlight stares into the distance while her hair blows to the right.

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