I remember myself as a child constantly moving, constantly traveling, collecting images, different languages, flavors and manners. I remember—so vividly—holding my mother’s hand to cross through the market in Alexandria: the landscapes of gold- and silver-worsted fabrics in the stalls, the gemstones glittering, the brass serving plates, the hand-blown glass and me with a fistful of dates in my pocket. That is where I acquired my first piece of jewelry, a gift from my father.
Through the years my childhood memories recur now and then, without losing any of their colour. I close my eyes and feel on my hands and round my neck the jewelry people wear in Africa, where the smallest thing becomes precious.
I have sought to learn how to look straight into the fire, how to tame metal, which words soothe it, which path connects thought with matter, matter with the subconscious, and desire with reality.
I have sought to see how a paper cut-out can rekindle Life if it is joined with others, what it looks like in the light and what emerges from the depths of the soul. I have sought to discover how riddles are solved and which doors can be opened with the keys that have been entrusted to me. I am still seeking.
— Sofia Zarari
Biography
Sofia Zarari initially studied Political Science at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens to better understand the world. She then continued with studies in Jewelry Design at Mokume Silversmithing and Jewelry Design School in Athens followed by wax modeling at Accademia delle Arti Orafe in Rome.
In 1997, she began working as a Fine Jewelry Designer in leading jewelry companies and systematically participated in the most significant European exhibitions.
Armed with collage and assemblage techniques, she manages to transcend the boundaries of small-scale art and the rules of the wearable art of jewelry to express herself through visual art.
In latter years, she has focused her perspective on the social face of art.
She occasionally uses performance art—movement and speech—as a means to approach cultures, revive primitive practices, decode symbols and understand their meanings.
She has gained invaluable experience teaching jewelry during her career.
The written word has also become an important channel for expression. Ηer texts have complemented art exhibitions and have been published in the digital press.
2018 saw the opening of a new window of communication with the public by launching the label MYSTiS by SOFIA ZARARI.
Three landmarks in her career are her collaborations with the Benaki Museum, the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum and the NEON Organisation for Culture and Development in Athens.
She systematically participates in solo and group exhibitions.
Her works are included in private collections and museums around the world.
Exhibitions/Fairs/Collaborations
2024: En Route - Group Exhibition
Belgrade City Museum - Princess Ljubica's Residence, Belgrade
Curated by Giannis Argyriadis, Niki Gkizi, Marija Radic Stosic
2024: project YFASMA – Group Exhibition
Benaki Museum Shop, Athens
2024: LOGOS - Group Exhibition
Helios Art Center, Thessaloniki
2024: JELO6 PROJECT 2024 - Group Exhibition
Participating Artist / Co-Curator
Zappeion Megaron, Athens
2023: A History of Revolutions - Group Exhibition
Consulate General of Greece, New York
New York City Jewelry Week 2023
Organised by the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
2023: Get out of the black - Get into the color - Group Exhibition
Helios Art Center, Thessaloniki
Organised by ΚETHEA – ΙΤΗΑΚΙ
Therapy Center for Dependent Individuals
2023: The Butterfly Effect - Group Exhibition
Mouzakis - Butterfly Factory, Athens
Curated by Kostas Prapoglou
2023: History of Revolutions - Group Exhibition
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens
2023: With a Single Goad - Group Exhibition
Helios Art Center, Thessaloniki
Curated by Maria Dellaporta, Giannis Argyriadis
2022: project MIRROR – Group Exhibition
Benaki Museum Shop, Athens
2022: Challenges/Invitations from/in Two Coops - Group Exhibition
Refugees Museum, Thessaloniki
Curated by Maria Dellaporta, Giannis Argyriadis
2022: Squares - Group Exhibition
Uni.Versus Art Room, Athens
2022: Have A Seat - Group Exhibition
Organised by anti Gallery, Curated by Louisa Karapidaki
Hellenic American Union, Athens
2021: project PIATO – Group Exhibition
Benaki Museum Shop, Athens
2021: Τhe Dress of Zoe - Solo Exhibition
GALLERY 13, Drama
2021: Be Connected - Group Exhibition
Curated by Krama Contemporary Jewelry School
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens
2021: Scale - Solo Exhibition
Art Vitrines of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Thessaloniki
Curated by Giannis Argyriadis
2020: Words Αre Αll We Have - Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2020: The Nine Muse Project - Breast Cancer Awareness Digital Campaign
The Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer 'Alma Zois' x Tassos Vrettos x Sofia Zarari
2019: project BALLA – Group Exhibition
Benaki Museum Shop, Athens
2019: Dialogues of Life - Group Exhibition
Art Vitrines of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Thessaloniki
Curated by Giannis Argyriadis
2019: π3 project / Athens Jewelry Week 2019 - Group Exhibition
Organised by CheapArt, Anticlastics & Ozon
Window Display 3b Vissis Street, Athens
2019: π3 project - Group Exhibition
Organised by CheapArt, Anticlastics & Ozon
Athens International Jewelry Show, Athens
2018: project KUBARAS – Group Exhibition
Benaki Museum Shop, Athens
2018: Satori - Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2018: New Horizons: From Jewelry to Sculpture - Group Exhibition
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens
2018: Premiere Classe / Maria Marami Showroom
Participating Artist
Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
2018: Artistar Jewels 2018 - Group Exhibition
Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, Milan
2017: Metallogues - Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2017: Synopsis - Group Exhibition
‘anti’ Art Gallery, Antiparos
2017: Eros – Thanatos / Aggressor – Victim - Group Exhibition
Supported by NEON Organization, Curated by Stavros Kavalaris
Vissis & Aeolou Neoclassical Building, Athens
2017: CREAID Designer Jewelry Project - Group Exhibition
One Athens, Athens
2016: Nuda Veritas – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2016: Treasure Island – Group Exhibition
Art Space/Studio 265, Paros
Curated by Iris Kritikou
2016: Antilogos – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery / Athens Jewelry Week 2016
2016: New Territories – Group Exhibition
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens
2015: The Greek Tsarouhi_Another Story – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
Curated by Andreas Kanellopoulos
2015: Myths 2015 – Group Exhibition
Weltraum Gallery, Munich
Curated by Loukia Richards, Christoph Ziegler
2014: Ex-Votos-Talisamans-Spells – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2013: Slices of Silence – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2012: Folk is coming to Town – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2012: From Darkness to Light – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2011: Strong Wishes – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2011: Post Motion – Group Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
2010: six women and A man – Solo Exhibition
Eleni Marneri Gallery, Athens
1999-2012: Baselworld, Watch and Jewellery Show, Basel
Iberhoya, International Jewelry, Silverware and Watch Exhibition, Madrid
Ure Guld Sølv, Bella Center, Copenhagen
Gold & Silver, The Athens International Jewellery Show, Athens
Participating Artist, as an exclusive Fine Jewelry Designer
on behalf of GEO Jewelry Company
Education
2007: Diploma in Wax Microsculpture
Accademia delle Arti Orafe, Rome
1997-1996: Diploma in Jewelry Design and Casting Jewelry Specialisation
Mokume Studio, Silversmithing and Jewelry Design Institute, Athens
1996-1994: Diploma in Jewelry Design and Handmade Jewelry Specialisation
Mokume Studio, Silversmithing and Jewelry Design Institute, Athens
1991-1987: Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)
Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
Educational Programmes/ Seminars
2024-2023: Performance I Workshop, Instructor: Dimitra Nikolopoulou
National Theatre of Greece, Athens
2024-2023: Certificate in Positive Psychology
Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences,
Life-long Learning Center [KEVIDIM], Athens
