between stillness and movement
Costas Papacostas occupies a unique position in contemporary art through a practice that moves fluidly between painting and video, balancing the oppositional states of stillness and movement with exceptional clarity. Born in Athens and settled in London, he developed a multidisciplinary language that reflects both the intensity of urban life and a sustained focus on quiet, often overlooked moments. His work is rooted in observation and presence rather than spectacle, inviting the viewer to slow down and experience subtle shifts in energy, rhythm and perception. Whether moving images or large-scale paintings, Papacostas is always concerned with time, impermanence, and the fragile balance between intention and release. These concerns situate his practice within larger conversations about the human condition, while remaining deeply personal and process-driven. Through international exhibitions and private and corporate collections, his work has captivated audiences in Europe, Asia and the United States, establishing a global conversation around abstraction, intuition and lived experience.
The duality in Papacostas’ practice becomes particularly apparent when comparing his video works to his paintings. His videos are static, restrained and observational, often looking outward to the world rather than inward to personal narratives. They focus on ordinary scenes, natural phenomena or long moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, gradually transforming everyday life into something meditative. Time can unfold uninterrupted, encouraging contemplation rather than consumption. In contrast, his paintings emerge from a highly physical and emotional process. They are created not through plans or preliminary sketches, but through direct contact with surfaces, bodies and the present moment. This contrast is not a contradiction but an intentional tension, reflecting the oscillation between control and surrender that runs throughout his work. Together, these methods reveal an artist who deeply investigates how meaning is produced through attention, restraint, and embodied action.
Papacostas’ international profile reflects the adaptability and resonance of this approach in different cultural contexts. His work has been exhibited at major art fairs including Miami Art Fair presented by HOFA Gallery, Shanghai ART021 Art Fair, Hong Kong Art Center and Contemporary Istanbul, as well as commercial galleries in Europe and Asia. Exhibitions such as “In Flux” at London’s Hang Up Gallery in 2025 and “Secrets of the Sea” and “One Stroke” in Seoul further defined his artistic trajectory. In addition to gallery spaces, his paintings have been commissioned for architectural and hospitality settings including the Aston Martin Headquarters in the UK, the Four Seasons Hotel in London, the Palazzo Las Vegas and the Arlington Hilton. These layouts highlight his work’s ability to operate across contexts while maintaining conceptual integrity, providing viewers with moments of reflection in spaces often defined by speed, luxury or function.
