Henry Krokatsis | Widows, Orphans & Strangers

Galeria Leme is pleased to present “Widows, Orphans and Strangers,,” a solo exhibition by British artist Henry Krokatsis, on view from May 17 to June 16, 2025. The opening will take place on Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. Featuring 11 of the artist’s works, the exhibition marks his return to Brazil after twelve years.

In “Widows, Orphans and Strangers,” Krokatsis actively brings those on the margins to the center. The title itself alludes to individuals often relegated to the edges of society, while also referencing a secondary meaning: in typography, “widows” and “orphans” are terms used to describe lines or words that are separated from the main body of text.

Krokatsis’s work invites a reassessment of materials that are, in themselves, discards. Working primarily with found mirrors—often sourced from second-hand shops and antique markets—the artist seeks to reinterpret, reposition, and revalue objects that have, metaphorically, “lost their shine.”

Krokatsis is interested in the parallels between the history of the modern world and that of mirrors, particularly in the cycles of obsolescence and material devaluation. Mirror-making was once a mystical craft, deeply connected to science and astronomy. However, during the 20th century, artisanal techniques were rapidly replaced by cheap, industrialized methods. The widespread introduction of mirrors into British homes in the latter half of the last century banalized what was once a symbol of luxury and status. What had been a prestigious object became a common surface—easily stained and often discarded in junkyards and thrift stores. By incorporating these objects into his works, the artist extends their life cycle and gives them new value. These often-imperfect mirrors are treated like paintings, being cut and shaped to form new visual realities.

The reverse of the mirror is another important compositional element. As the artist explains, mirrors are produced by sealing a silver layer behind a sheet of glass to create the reflective surface. Their backs are then sealed with various practical materials, revealing a surprising spectrum of colors—ranging from cadmium orange, copper browns and reds, to aluminum blues. By activating the “useless” side of the discarded object, Krokatsis unveils a different narrative—one connected to spirituality and protection.

Ultimately, Henry Krokatsis is inviting viewers to look again, to look behind the curtain, to ascribe value to what we have discarded. By using mirrors to propose this reflection he is also affirming a higher value of finding subtle nuances and beauty within the outskirts of our lives and the world.

More information about the exhibition “Widows, Orphans, and Pilgrims | Galeria Leme.”