About
"Saved"

    THE JOURNEY OF THE BOAT, “SAVED” 

Wire Piece "Saved"

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Artwork Title: Saved

Artist: Kaliopi Matheakis

Medium: Knitted Galvanized Wire

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The symbolism of the artistic creations by Kaliopi Matheakis begins with the unique process of knitting galvanized wire to form 3D Art against a canvas and wood backdrop. The developed method of knitted galvanized wire symbolically honors thousands of years of the ancestral Greek Heritage that inspires her artistic spirit.

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It memorializes Greek women, who in traditional ancestral times passed down from generation to generation the craft of knitting. Each generation embellished this essential skill used to make clothing, household necessities and fulfill agricultural needs illuminating it with artistic enhancements.

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Ms. Matheakis taps into an embedded intrinsic historic skill and combines it with an essential material present at every Greek homestead, galvanized steel wire. Greek men were skilled at adapting galvanized steel wire to solve a variety of household, farm, fishing, and industrial repair and construction problems which they faced throughout the day. Their use of simple galvanized steel wire to repair hundreds of homestead, and industrial essentials borders on artistic creations.

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The Story Of Saved

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Saved is an early work in the portfolio of Kaliopi Matheakis that uses her personally developed style of knitting with galvanized steel wire to create 3D art. All of her work is inspired by her deep faith in Christianity and the influences of one of the oldest civilizations on earth. Ms. Matheakis was engulfed by an internal emotional journey inspired by God as she worked on Saved. She applied that inspiration into her art and a cause.

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Saved combines the morality a practical determination to change the plight of young mothers from the emotional tribulations of pregnancy to the trials and struggles of raising children.

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Saved depicts a simple boat powered by the winds of moral inspiration as it sails tumultuous seas carrying passengers to a safe harbor. During the creation process Kaliopi became aware of the troubled journeys filled with emotional turbulence that women meet during their pregnancies and throughout the post-partum period.

 

While completing Saved, the journey of the boat’s passengers became clear. As Kaliopi fingers diligently weaved the journey of the boat, her mental and spiritual life became focused on helping pregnant women and babies. Learning more about the risks and challenges faced by pregnant women, she thought about the options or lack of them as women struggled with the emotions of childbirth.

Ms. Kaliopi Matheakis learned that pregnancy led some women to experience a hopelessness and lack of support pushing them to choose abortion. Saved represents the boat to the shores of safety during the emotional upheaval surrounding their journey in delivering a new life into the world.

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The Commitment to 40 Exhibitions

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Before the final wire was knitted into the 3D depiction of a simple sailboat challenging the wrath of nature, Kaliopi Matheakis decided that the complete artwork, Saved, would undertake a journey of 40 exhibitions, representing the 40 weeks of pregnancy.

 

At the end of 40 Exhibitions, Ms. Matheakis made a pledge to auction the artwork, Saved. She is committed to donating the proceeds to a non-profit organization dedicated to easing the voyage of pregnant women and their babies.

 

Saved began its journey with exhibitions in Greece and New York and is now looking to add ports of call at inspirational exhibitions focusing on the power of women and their unique challenges.

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Kaliopi Matheakis invites galleries to contact her to help complete the 40 Exhibitions of Saved. During her voyage in creating Saved, Kaliopi became an enthusiastic advocate of working on behalf of women’s issues. “Be part of saving a life! If you know any woman that needs emotional, mental or spiritual support during their pregnancies and beyond, be their boat. Please help pass the message to women "that all things are possible". If you are pregnant and you are facing turbulent seas, there is a boat named Saved in the form of community outreach and non-profits who are committed to plotting a safe course to shore.”

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Expanding the Mission of Saved

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As Saved continues to sail to complete 40 Exhibitions its mission of raising awareness of the issues faced by women is expanding. The voyages of Saved began as a focus on the emotional, physical, mental health and spiritual struggles of pregnancy. It grew to encompass the depression and mental health problems experienced after delivery and in a postpartum environment.

 

Saved expanded the mission to encompass women’s issues beyond the emotional issues of pregnancy and postpartum adjustments. At each port of call along the way Kaliopi uses

Saved as a vessel of inspiration to change the plight of women as they navigate the ever rising seas of change.

 

In discussions with women at work, church, social events and her exhibitions it has become clear to Ms. Matheakis, that childcare is an important concern for women. In NYC women can benefit from childcare for those 3 years old and above. The only programs available for children 18 months to 3 years old are for mothers and families at or below the poverty line. Those who don’t meet the income guidelines are left without childcare options. The costs of childcare in private settings are prohibitive for working and middle class mothers and parents.

 

Kaliopi Matheakis is expanding the mission of Saved to petition the powers of the NYC government to find a solution for childcare for those who do not meet the poverty guidelines of the programs that are already in place.

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As Saved sets sail on its upcoming voyages to reach its goal of 40 Exhibitions, its mission is expanding again. Women need a voice in highlighting their need for safe, affordable childcare while they work and pursue education.

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Saved began its first voyage to bring awareness to the physical, emotional, mental, and economic challenges of pregnancy. It then welcomed passengers aboard who were struggling with postpartum issues.

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Saved is expanding its mission again to fight for affordable, safe, early childhood education that matches the programs offered to those who meet the poverty guidelines. Saved keeps sailing for women’s issues by the grace of God and the winds of inspiration.

 

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  "Don’t give up.

 You are stronger than you think you are.

There is always a rainbow after a storm."

 

                                                                           

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