Margarita Mavromichalis – As Time Stood Still

A world traveler and adventure seeker, she seeks the human presence in her frames more than anything else.  This led her to explore portraiture, street, and documentary photography in her early studies at the International Center of Photography in New York. Multi-awarded photographer, she has been exhibited in New York, Boston, London, Paris, Barcelona, Athens, Berlin, and Budapest.

Unable to produce her usual work during the Covid-19 lockdown period, mostly spent in London, she decided to turn the camera on to herself, creating a series of self-portraits titled “As Time Stood Still” that explores her forever changing feelings and emotions, her fears and insecurities, her anger and hopes, often using humor and sarcasm. Margarita teaches us no matter the circumstances, you must always find creative ways to turn a negative situation into a positive for yourself. She inspires us to never give up!

“A picture of 1000 words”. How does it reflect your inner search?

A picture is definitely worth more than a thousand words. The images I create contain some obvious messages, but they also give room for interpretation by the viewer. I seek to create images that invite the viewer and allow him to make his own story around them.

Looking back on your artistic career, what do you consider to be a milestone in your development as a photographer?

I believe that all my work to date has contributed to my development as a photographer and not an isolated event. I always follow my intuition in what I do, so I always carefully choose the places and people I photograph and the result you see is a product of hard work, for the last ten years or more.

What was the trigger for your start?

Photography has always been a big part of my life, ever since I was a kid. As a teenager, I had created my own darkroom, where I displayed my photos. It was a magical experience for me. Family priorities came first, but when the children grew up, I decided to dedicate myself to my childhood love, photography. As I am a perfectionist and I give 100% of myself to everything I do, photography soon became a full-time activity.

Which trip in the world has had the deepest impact on you and why?

The countries that have deeply influenced me are India and Cuba. I travel to India every year and I have developed cordial relationships with people there, which makes a big difference. I try to reach out to the locals and participate in their daily lives, which allows me to understand, to some extent, the conditions of their lives.

Many of the people I get to know through my photography barely have a tile over their head… .they consider themselves lucky if they can secure a plate of food every day.

And yet, they maintain their dignity and ambitions and pass them on to their children. Connecting with them is a life experience for me. Cuba, on the other hand, is a different reality. I lived in countries with communist regimes and I know that the system does not allow me to have expectations or ambitions.

And yet, the people there have a sense and joy for life that I have not encountered anywhere else. Their positive attitude and approach to things were another lesson for me.

How was the direction in your new thematic work “As Time Stood Still”, in the difficult Covid-19 period, different in relation to your previous photographic work?

My goal is to continue building on my work so far. My guide is my work and my feelings, without setting specific goals in advance. This is how my work on the refugees in Lesvos and the theme “As Time Stood Still” was created.

My priority is to be satisfied in principle with the result of the work. This approach gives me a sense of freedom, which I desire and try to preserve. Of course, I do not deny that public recognition is an important parameter for the artist.

What are the next steps that you think will add another big artistic leap?

My goal is to continue building on the work I’ve been doing so far. My guide is my work and my emotions, without setting specific goals in advance. This is how my work on the refugees in Lesvos and the theme “As Time Stood Still” was created. My first priority is to be satisfied with the result of the work. This approach gives me a sense of freedom, which I desire and try to preserve. Of course, I do not deny that public recognition is an important parameter for the artist. Publishing a book with my work in the coming years is a goal that will give an essential dimension to my work and which I would like to pursue.