Untitled Information
Jannis Varelas– (2006)
Created in 2006, Jannis Varelas’s Untitled is made of pencil, charcoal, c-print, paper, and aluminum foil on paper. Its dimensions (281.9 × 152.4 cm) give it an impressive scale that far exceeds human size, lending it a monumental character.
Artistic Context
The internationally recognized Greek artist Jannis Varelas (b. 1977, Athens) was educated at the Athens School of Fine Arts, the University of Fine Arts in Barcelona, and the Royal College of Art in London.
His work is deeply rooted in the practice of drawing, with a preference for pencil and gouache. In Untitled, as in his other works, he combines cultural symbols, iconographic influences from Byzantine hagiography, and visual motifs taken from contemporary lifestyle magazines, mass culture, and even sexually charged images.
The result is an explosive, almost psychoanalytic field where tradition clashes with the present—and identity is reconstructed with aesthetic intensity.
Placement & Dynamics at The Met
Untitled is one of the most significant large-scale paintings in the permanent collection of The Met Hotel. Placed in a space with architectural “breathing room,” it is allowed to “breathe” and assert its presence, inviting the viewer to an experiential observation.
It highlights the hotel’s strategy of incorporating works that create a dialogue—not just decoration—and supporting artists with a strong presence on the international scene.
Why it deserves your attention
- A Monumental Gesture: At a height of almost 3 meters, the work asserts its presence without violently overwhelming the space.
- Dense Iconography: Cultural symbols, human figures, and fragmented motifs coexist in a visual narrative full of tension.
- A Contemporary Greek Voice: Varelas is one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary Greek art—his work doesn’t just observe the world, it redefines it.