PRESS RELEASE: Introducing RED Artists: A Creative Sanctuary for Female Artists, Spearheaded by Dr. Elpida Drakopoulou
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Introducing RED Artists: A Creative Sanctuary for Female Artists, Spearheaded by Dr. Elpida Drakopoulou
[Melbourne, 22 September 2024] — RED Gallery, a venerable cornerstone of the arts established in 2002 and dedicated to nurturing creatives across all modalities, is thrilled to announce the launch of RED Art. This innovative and immersive platform is set to become a haven for facilitating female creativity, mindfulness, and artistic exploration. Spearheading this exciting venture is Dr Elpida Drakopoulou the Creative Director of one of the longest running female led art spaces in Melbourne, RED Gallery, known for her extensive expertise in contemporary art, creative therapy, and mindfulness.
Dr. Elpida Drakopoulou is not your typical gallery owner; her background and qualifications are as diverse as the art she champions. Holding a Masters in Contemporary Art and Creative Art Therapy, Elle’s journey of self-discovery and growth led her to explore various disciplines, including Mindfulness for Clinical Practice at the University of Melbourne, where she collaborated with the Australian Psychological Society under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Mckenzie. She is a trained Mindfulness practitioner with a specialization in the therapeutic benefits of the arts, certified by the Meditation Association of Australia, and has had the privilege of studying in residence with Venerable Bhikkhu Anālayo.
Her PhD harnessed her unique range of mindful, practical, body-mind connected, holistic, and strategic methodologies in creative mentorship combined with neuroscience and feminine embodiment. She has guided some of Australia’s leading creative practitioners, helping them find successful, innovative, and fulfilling artistic paths. Her holistic approach focuses on nurturing creativity and the growth of technical artistry while fostering balance, connection, confidence, and inner wisdom.
Elpida’s journey took an unexpected turn with a late diagnosis of neurodiversity in adulthood, sparking her fascination with neuroscience, creative cognition, evolutionary psychology, and neuroplasticity. Her approach blends a deeply holistic approach to healing the body and mind through creativity with evidence-based research. She explores the complexity and malleability of the imagination and instinct, delving into biofeedback, quantum creativity, and the development of personalized artistic symbolism through social, biological, and epigenetic constructs.
Her methodologies also encompass an understanding of creative archetypes, somatic trauma-informed practice, sensory modulation, and subconscious creation through free association and guided imagery in multi-modal settings, with a specialized interest in applied Jungian theory. Her innovative and disruptive methodologies extend to a decentralization vision for creative thinking on both individual and organizational levels. As a futurist writer, trend forecaster, conceptual artist, and creative innovator, she is invited to hold unique talks, events, workshops, and retreats for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, offering educational training for professional development and consulting for corporate and educational creative culture.
With a rich educational background that includes studies at Central St Martin’s College in London and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Practice at Westminster University, Elle has also lent her creative talents to high-profile institutions such as Tate Modern, ACMI, the Olympics Cultural Committee, Samsung’s Product Innovation team, and many more. Her dedication extends to volunteering at various charities and not-for-profit organizations, including working with disabled artists through Arts Project Australia, Yarra City Council, and mentoring disadvantaged youth through collaborations with the Smith Family Foundation and other worldwide initiatives.
Elpida’s reverence for the natural world led her to become a trained Nature-Based Therapist, accredited by the International Institute of Complimentary Medicine. She utilises nature as a tool to promote health and creative wellbeing through sensory experiences, incorporating nature bathing, ephemeral and creative arts, journaling, deep observation, holistic counselling, Indigenous philosophy, self-care, and immersive embodiment into creative practice. Her Accreditation in Ecology, Ecosomatics, Ecological Design, and Environmental Philosophy has also led her to volunteer as a forest therapist for Parks Victoria.
In addition to her forward-looking approach, Elpida has a deep appreciation for history, philosophy, folklore, mythology, and indigenous traditions from various cultures around the world. Born in the ancient city of Athens and raised as a global nomad, she has had the privilege of experiencing diverse cultures and spiritual teachings. She has accreditation in Sacred Sensuality, Animism, Shamanism, Tantra, Earth-Centered worship, and has spent time learning and creating with various indigenous communities.
Her journey has led her to draw inspiration from a wide array of teachings, including Hinduism, Vendata, Vajrayana, Kabbalah, Tantra, Buddhism, Jungian theory, Mimamsa, Shamanism, Hellenism, Greco-Buddhism, and Taoism.
Dr. Drakopoulou has also trained under Dr. Arne Rubenstein at The Rights of Passage Institute, using ancient indigenous wisdom and community-based leadership in transpersonal psychology. She holds a diploma in Sexuality Studies and Gender, Youth, and Adolescent Psychology & Development. Her innovative programs, “Anti-Meditation” and “What’s Your Incognito Mode?”, provide female adolescents with mindful and somatic tools to cope with negative emotions, deviancy, and shame. These programs are now being offered at various educational and wellness facilities worldwide.
With certification in Somatic Approaches to Healing Trauma and as a Certified Feminine Embodiment Coach, Elpida uses the body and polarity as conduits for creative healing, artistic development, and primal expression. Her International Certification in Kundalini, Tantra & Esoteric Philosophy deepens her awareness of duality. She is also a trained and accredited Sacred Circle Facilitator, creating open and intimate spaces for all seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their creative journey.
Beyond her impressive qualifications and passions, Elpida considers herself “the most content tortured artist.” Her personal journey through trauma, grief, loss, self-sabotage, shame, secrecy, deviancy, perfectionism, anxiety, and imposter syndrome has allowed her to connect deeply with fellow creatives who face similar blockages hindering their authentic selves. Dr Elpida Drakopoulou welcomes an experimental, intuitive, and non-judgmental approach to living a creatively attuned life. She believes in embracing failure, spontaneity, risk, vulnerability, and disorder, all while celebrating love, gratitude, joy, sensuality, passion, and pleasure. Above all, she encourages others to be open and curious about what it means to be a bravely real, authentic, and whole creator.
RED Art, under the expert guidance of Dr Elpida Drakopoulou, promises to be a transformative space where creativity, mindfulness, and self-discovery converge to support female artists in all stages of their career. It will offer artists the opportunity to explore their artistic potential and embark on a journey of personal growth. For media inquiries, please contact: [Dr Elpida Drakopoulou] [[email protected]] [(+61) 0466 797 223] About RED Gallery: RED Gallery is a dynamic creative space that has been a pillar of the arts since its establishment in 2002
