Tonia Nikolaidou (1927) was born in Athens. She studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1946-1952) painting with K. Parthenis – Umb. Silver and engraving with G. Kefallinos. Influences received from Durer’s designs, Japanese prints, Rembrandt copper engravings, Flemish primites, and the work and teaching of Kefalinos. She was also influenced by the Greek landscape, ancient Greek and Byzantine art. She has worked with publishers and galleries to publish books or albums containing woodcuts or copper engravings.
The quality of her work has been repeatedly rewarded internationally, such as First Prize and Gold Medal at the Biennale of Alexandria (1980), Committee Award, Biennale Fredrikstad, Norway (1982), Honorary Distinction Biennale R.O.C. ’83 and ’85 in Tai-pen (1983,1985), F.I.C.F. (International Women’s Cultural Association), Athens (1988-1993), Biennale Fredricks Medal (1989), Honorary Distinction, Impraza, Ukraine (1989). Since 1979 she has held fifteen solo exhibitions in Greece and Europe and since 1957 she has participated in many international groups. A large number of entries are in Biennale and Triennale of Engraving and Design all over the world.