Theodosia Marchant.
“Born in Athens and now based in LA, expressive figurative artist Theodosia Marchant explores the nature of human existence in paintings as dramatic as Greek tragedies. Naked figures fill orgiastic canvases, overlapping and intertwining with each other, vines, and foliage, so it's never clear where bodies begin or end. Faces are either hidden by manes of hair or have a mask-like quality. Marchant's frequent use of horizontal composition reminds me of ancient drawings on walls and urns, as well as Picasso's "Guernica."“
Maggie Levine, Art Write Daily #14 Making Art in 2020
“Excitement emanates from the paintings: for living; its transmutations, its shades. Theodosia Marchant’s amorous painterly language is a cocktail of elements: bold and sophisticated; fabulous and ornate, but with clean, clear lines. The eye follows the lines which trace a conglomeration of human, plant, and decorative forms. À la Picasso the painter collages space, doing so through a forceful collusion of stylised elements – water, background, hair, body, foliage. Sensual and cerebral, this is painting as contemporary dance, next to London-based artist Adébayo Bolaji’s works. The medium is renewed as a means of expression; the magnetism of motion bequeaths life to life.”
Sarah Ryan, New Blood Art, 2022
“Marchant explores sexuality and identity through the women’s perspective and gaze, creating characters that are decisive and empowered. Her color palettes and compositions are bold and imposing, reflecting the strength of the stories she tells. Her colors range from greyscale to earthen to jewel toned, each combination evoking different sensory reactions and mood.
The energy of Marchant's art is expressive, lively, and playful. The viewer can explore the human form, plant life, and domestic spaces, immersing themselves in the worlds built in her paintings. Marchant creates a universal language through her motifs that speak to people of all walks of life, for her art takes us to the very essence and joy of being alive.”
Diana Mashia, Invest In Her Art, 2022
“Marchant’s paintings are intentionally 2 dimensional, which threads a strong narrative throughout her bodies of work in developing a world for the viewer to step into.
One overarching theme I see in all of Marchant’s is how each piece feels like its own intimate experience; a private moment that the viewer is witnessing in real time. The female figure is a nearly constant presence in each of the series. The figures almost always have their hair covering their faces as if to offer anonymity from the viewer, allowing an opportunity to be completely uninhibited. Through this anonymity there is a togetherness that permeates through Marchant’s work, imagining a world where we can live as our true selves, unafraid of judgment.”
Alice Cookson, AC Art Management, 2024
“Curated with intention by SAC’s co-owner Seany Andrews, the arrangement of Marchant’s ANGELS collection portrays a story of quiet conflict— the struggle between light and dark, virtue and temptation. As you work your way through the gallery, a narrative unfolds. Large-scale figurative scenes are given pause to smaller-scale floral compositions in an undulation that keeps the viewer’s eyes curious for more. And while the signature elements of Marchant’s paintings remain intact in this series, the introduction of new protagonists, angels, make way for a fresh perspective in the exploration of the human condition. Wrought with moral complexity, these angels represent divine, idyllic creatures that, as humans, we aspire to be. If only it were that simple. This series brokers the conversation and acknowledges the challenge to tame our temptations for not only the sake of being good, but for the sake of avoiding the consequences that can ultimately lead us astray from our desired path. “
Aimee Mandala, Diversions LA, Assymetric Magazine, 2024
Read artist review here
My paintings study life. Life is constructed by emotions of all shades; light, dark and the quiet shadow of their absence. Intricate or simple. My subjects, the protagonists express them, alive in their own moment. In my subjects, I aim to express a universal language that remains timeless and incorruptible.
Theodosia Marchant, a Greek-British national residing in Los Angeles, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Law from London. She is a dual-qualified attorney in English and Greek law with extensive practice in the UK. In 2013, she relocated to the US. Since 2016, Marchant has been showcasing her work widely in the US and abroad. Her first international solo exhibition was in Beirut in 2023, and to date her art has been featured in Lebanon, Japan, Spain, Greece, Germany, and Cyprus.