AKA Theophilos Constantinou
Theophilos Constantinou is a photographer, book publisher, and founder of Paradigm Publishing based in Manhattan, New York. Since the genesis of Paradigm Publishing, over 10 years ago, Theophilos has published over 45 books and zines. He has designed several collections with his brand PARADIGM for BEAMS Japan and Dover Street Market in NY and LA. More recently, he connected with Isaiah Barr of Onyx Collective to produce physical records for their label, NYXO Records. His work has been featured in i-D Magazine, GRIND Magazine, Highsnobiety, POPEYE, Document Journal and Interview Magazine. Theophilos wears many hats within the word and approaches each project with intense care and intentionality. The impact of his creative endeavors especially with upcoming New York talent is substantive.
This segment of the Artist Series was photographed in Theophilos’s Essex Street apartment on the day he was moving out. Marking the end of Theophilos’s time in his second apartment in New York. Countless projects were conceptualized, produced, and shipped from this apartment. So many meetings of the best artists this generation has to offer happened in this apartment. Theophilos offered his space openly and generously for the community to break bread and connect within his home. Soon Theophilos will be moving to Europe to pursue other endeavors. I am honored to have been able to photograph the end of this chapter of Theophilos’s life.
Theophilos is the perfect example of someone who moves correctly, produces beautiful projects in all mediums, and embodies the role of a community leader. He brings people together, encourages creative people to make their best work, and does not waver on his level of substance and quality.
Theophilos and I met outside the Manual Shop on Delancey Street summer 2019. We connected over a cigarette outside the shop. Manual had just hosted my first solo show so we began talking about our shared interest in photography. I found out he ran a publishing company that I was familiar with so I gave him my card! From that day forth Theophilos and I began running into each other downtown. We were both always in the streets connecting and growing with others. At the time I was managing The Good Company and Theophilos was living on Essex Street just a few blocks away. Theophilos would come by the shop and politic the days I would work. Our conversations covered the projects we were working on to personal ethics to our approaches to navigating the industry. As we got to know each other we found our creative endeavors and approaches were complementary. As a young artist Theophilos’s insight and success within the industry have been inspiring. He has offered his well of knowledge openly which has kept me grounded and the fire under my ass lit. After two years of friendship Theophilos is one of the only people I can call my OG. One day Theophilos will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it. I am wishing him luck on his new endeavors in Europe and can’t wait till I can visit you!