About Kareena Zeferos
Kareena Zerefos is a Greek-Australian artist, now based in Portugal. Renowned for her unique style of creating surreal dreamscapes using colored pencils and oil sticks, Kareena’s art is a captivating exploration of memory, childhood, and the human condition.
Her approach is based on the belief that creativity fosters authentic connection, which enriches the exploratory journey, while her work evokes a sense of nostalgia and tranquility, blending reality with imagination.
Zerefos obtained a Master of Art from the University of New South Wales in 2017. Her artistic journey began in illustration and design, evolving into a multifaceted creative approach. As of today, Kareena holds many exhibitions of her work in various group shows across Australia and internationally.
Early Life and Education
Zerefos developed an early interest in art, inspired by her surroundings and a collection of nostalgic items like vintage postcards and children’s books. She pursued a design degree at the College of Fine Arts in Sidney and graduated in 2005, which gave her a strong foundation in both traditional and digital artistic techniques.
Artistic Style and Mediums
Zerefos masterfully utilizes a variety of media, such as pencil, gouache, tea, and ink, skillfully merging traditional drawing techniques with modern digital artistry. This unique fusion creates a beautifully delicate and nostalgic illustrative style. Her enchanting compositions often feature children in thoughtful moments, occasionally dressed in whimsical animal costumes or masks, celebrating the innocence and imagination of childhood.
Themes and Inspirations
Kareena passionately explores the human experience, focusing on the delicate interplay between solitude and connection. Inspired by nostalgic treasures, like her father’s old super-8 films, vintage postcards, and elegant fine bone china tea sets, she infuses her illustrations with these enchanting elements. The result is a delightful tapestry of whimsical worlds that invite viewers to reflect with warmth and curiosity, sparking a sense of longing and self-discovery.
Exhibitions and Collaborations
Throughout her career, Zerefos has participated in numerous exhibitions both in Australia and internationally. Notable group shows include ‘The Other Art Fair’ at Truman Brewery in London (2024) and ‘Vol. III’ at Corrente de Ar in Lisbon (2023). She has also held solo exhibitions, such as ‘New Works’ at The Great Eastern Bear Gallery in London (2012) and ‘Suspended’ at Retrospect Galleries in Queensland (2011).
In addition to gallery exhibitions, Zerefos has engaged in commercial illustration projects for the music, fashion, and advertising industries, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Current Endeavors
Based in the vibrant city of Lisbon, Portugal, Zerefos passionately creates art and embraces the opportunity to mentor young artists engaging in creative workshops. She aims at inspiring emerging talents with her knowledge and enthusiasm. Her recent series, ‘Between Inflated Dreams and Whispered Memories,’ beautifully explores the contrasting sides of life, merging the warmth and wonder of childhood with the intricate realities of adulthood.
Kareena Zerefos’s art offers a window into a whimsical and introspective world, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. Through her delicate illustrations, she invites viewers to reflect on their own memories and the universal experiences of isolation, companionship, and the passage of time.
Go here to visit her website, or follow Kareena Zeferos on Instagram >