ANALAMPI

A warm and familiar “yassas” echoes from down an alleyway. Tables dotted with espresso cups, bottles of ouzo or wine, and small plates of that morning’s catch are strewn haphazardly on terraces and ancient stone walkways. Orange and white cats slink across rooftops, disappearing behind colorful laundry lines. Octopuses dry in the sun against a backdrop of whitewashed villages. Boats seem to hover on top of crystalline water. A gentle breeze carries the smell of bougainvillea.

All around, in every direction you look: the sea.

Artist Statement

The word analampi (αναλαμπή, pronounced ah-nah-LAHM-psee) is a phonetic rendering in English from the Greek αναλαμπή. Taken literally, it translates to a sudden and brief burst of light. Figuratively, it can also represent a momentary revival or sudden inspiration. It’s a word that reflects both the literal glistening characteristics of the Cyclades and the luminous moments that define summer here. Through my work, I found myself gravitating towards the often ephemeral qualities of this season and the illusion that, for a moment, time can stand still. Most of the images in this show are not of the iconic landmarks or postcard views in the Greek islands. They are instead focused on the everyday scenes and themes of summer in the Cyclades. These ordinary, in-between moments throughout each day were the ones that stuck with me the longest. 

The work in this show includes images from Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Kythnos, Syros, Andros, and Tinos. The 34 images in this show were selected from over 9,000 photographs made during the summers of 2023, 2024, and 2025. With 214 islands remaining in the Cyclades chain alone, Greece is a place I expect will pull me back each summer for the rest of my life.

About the Artist

Chris Mongeau is a photographer and writer from Providence, RI. His work is rooted in a love of the natural world and a passion for storytelling, often from places at the furthest edges of the map. In his travels, Chris focuses on slowing down and looking deeper at the people, places, and traditions he encounters. He is especially interested in documenting the stories behind individuals practicing trades and crafts that are deeply connected to the land they reside in. His work has been featured in Travel + Leisure, CNN, Thrillist, Rhode Island Monthly, and Urth Magazine.