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A painting of two figures in pale yellow underwear against a plain blue wall and red floor. One person sits cross-legged, pulling a light blue T-shirt across their chest, while another crouches beside them.

Elizabeth Dimitroff’s warm and earthy palette makes for paintings that evoke memories

In the gestures of the British-American painter’s figures, there is the feeling of something sentimental.

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Date
26 July 2023

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Elizabeth Dimitroff’s paintings feel ever so sentimental. Exploring the ways in which multiple versions of time exist, her paintings – which are often composed with variations of yellow, blue and orange – have figures that are posed as if a camera is on them, and they’re either caught out in the moment or agreeing to indulge for a split second before getting back to their lives. “I’m interested in revisiting the site of a strong memory, or the way in which sentimental objects, images or pieces of music, can hurdle us back in time,” she tells us. The artworks are also void of any eyes – a stylistic decision Elizabeth landed on to “bring greater transparency to the other body parts”.

A British-American artist, the painter received a degree at Rhode Island School of Design and a masters at Royal College of Art in London. Her fondness for painting the personal and historical feeling that we get from rooms is paramount. And so, like a photographer, Elizabeth works at the site of recollection and memory to tell a deeper story through her creations.

GalleryElizabeth Dimitroff: London, UK (Copyright © Elizabeth Dimitroff, 2023)

A painting of two people in a room with a bright yellow wall. One person kneels over another who lies on a blue surface, holding a long, thin object against the other's raised arm.
A painting of a person sitting with a sombre expression, wearing a bulky yellow life jacket and grey trousers. They are flanked by two other figures in similar attire against a plain green background.
A painting of two people sitting on a red floor against a bright yellow wall. They wear matching orange T-shirts and shorts, with one person holding a small white object.
A painting of a person with their eyes closed and a pained expression. They lean forward with their arms crossed on a green surface against a bright orange background.
A painting of a person sitting with their knees drawn up, eyes closed and head tilted back. They are bathed in warm, yellow light against a backdrop of minimalist geometric planes.
A painting of a person lying on their back across a bed, eyes closed and head tilted. They are partially covered by a white sheet in a room with a soft green wall and a bright window.
A painting of a nude figure curled up and sleeping on a white sheet. They are positioned in a soft, pale blue room beside a window.

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Elizabeth Dimitroff: London, UK (Copyright © Elizabeth Dimitroff, 2023)

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About the Author

Yaya Azariah Clarke

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Yaya (they/them) was previously a staff writer at It’s Nice That. With a particular interest in Black visual culture, they have previously written for publications such as WePresent, alongside work as a researcher and facilitator for Barbican and Dulwich Picture Gallery.

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