Thekla (born Thekla Aristophanous; October 27, 1985) is a greek Cypriot artist specialising in neoclassical oil pastel paintings.

Although born in Cyprus, Thekla was raised in London’s East End before returning to Cyprus for her high school years. She later moved back to the UK to study Fine Art at the University of East London. This back and forth between cultures has been pivotal in shaping her outlook, deeply influencing both her creative perspective and the person she has become. Thekla later furthered her studies at Nottingham University, which is her current city of residence together with her husband and two children. Upon finishing her studies, Thekla married into a running business and stood by her husband’s side whilst also prioritising motherhood and family life. This admittedly took a toll on her creativity for a number of years. As more free time gradually re-emerged however, she was able to immerse herself back into the art world, including participating in recent showcases
in central London.

The structure of Thekla’s paintings carry an old aesthetic and are created primarily with oil pastels. This medium, though challenging when it comes to fine detail, offers a vibrancy of colour and a thick texture that brings each piece to life. Most paintings are on a large scale, demanding attention and boldly holding their place on display. Thekla draws inspiration not only from old masterpieces, she also enjoys transforming everyday sayings, English proverbs, idioms and famous quotes into visual allegories. What often begins as personal amusement evolves into paintings that carry a witty and playful edge, blurring the line between word and image.