Untitled (2007) – Jannis Varelas
A lone figure radiates outward in sharp, abstract forms—part divine apparition, part stage costume. With bold symmetry and masked identity, Varelas blurs the line between myth and modernity, exploring how we perform and protect the self.
About the Artist: Jannis Varelas
Born: 1977, Athens, Greece
Lives and works in: Athens, Los Angeles, and Vienna
Jannis Varelas is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Greek art, known for creating intense, theatrical, and psychologically charged compositions. His practice spans painting, drawing, performance, sculpture, and film.
Varelas often explores themes of identity, gender, the body, and ritual. His works feel mythological yet urban, combining grotesque humor, symbolism, and fragments of pop culture. Figures in his work frequently seem to morph or wear masks, floating between roles and realities—echoing the instability of personal and collective identity in contemporary society.
His work has been exhibited widely in major institutions, including:
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Palais de Tokyo (Paris)
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The New Museum (New York)
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National Museum of Contemporary Art (Athens)
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Kunsthalle Athena
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The DESTE Foundation