Antonis Kyriakoulis
Antonis Kyriakoulis was born in Athens, in 1938. Working as a painter, set designer and cartoonist, Kyriakoulis is truly a multi-talented artist. Beginning his studies in Anargyrios and Korgialenios School of Spetses he went on to study Graphic Arts at Doxiadis School (1960-64), next to the engraver A. Tassos. Having developed an aptitude for printmaking and a distinctively illustrative style he completed his studies at the London College of Printing. In 1971, he presented his first solo exhibition at the Fondazione Europa in Milan, for which Mondo Giovine magazine devoted a special issue.
From 1972 Kyriakoulis turned his attention to scenography and costume design working both as a designer and board member to the National Opera. Exhibited across Greece his intriguing artwork bridges the gap between illustration and fine art, appealing to a range of audiences. More recently Kyriakoulis has enjoyed a renewed critical interest in his expansive career. The fantastical worlds he creates are both strange and captivating, inviting the viewer to enter into his subversive alternative universe. In 2007 The Benaki Museum held a retrospective of his work, bringing together his numerous drawings, watercolours, collages, set designs, costumes and miniature objects. Designing 21 menus for the museum cafe, Kyriakoulis’ graphic style remains wonderfully fresh and current.
