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Major International Distinction for Greek Photography
Greek photographer Giorgos Tatakis has been named the winner of the 8th Edition of the Trieste Civic Museums Award with his photographic series “Karyatis”, a prestigious recognition granted as part of the URBAN Photo Awards in Italy. The award includes a solo exhibition at the historic Sala Selva of Palazzo Gopcevich in Trieste, opening on October 24.
This distinction holds particular significance for Greece, as Tatakis’ work offers a contemporary visual interpretation of Greek cultural heritage, earning him growing international acclaim.
The selection was made by Claudia Colecchia, Head of the Photographic Archive and Library of the Trieste Civic Museums, and Michela Messina, curator of the Sartorio Museum. In a joint statement, they explained: “Giorgos Tatakis’ photographic work stands out for its ability to craft a deeply reflective approach to cultural identity and collective memory.
Set amid the decaying architecture of abandoned warehouses, his images become a visual palimpsest where Greek history, endurance, and nostalgia intertwine. The women, depicted in their traditional costumes, embody living memory—symbols of cultural continuity within landscapes marked by the passage of time.
The contrast between the silent grandeur of these deserted spaces and the symbolic richness of traditional attire generates a multilayered dialogue between past and present, between ruin and ritual. Tatakis’ photography thus transcends mere documentation, emerging as an interpretive discourse—a language that reframes cultural heritage and connects it to contemporary experience.
In this sense, the Trieste Civic Museums Award gains particular importance, acknowledging photography as a medium capable of establishing a profound dialogue with museum collections. Through his work, Tatakis contributes not only to preserving memory but also to its visual and symbolic reimagining, reaffirming the role of art as a vehicle for cultural transmission.”
— Claudia Colecchia & Michela Messina
The “Karyatis” Series
Developed over the course of more than ten years, “Karyatis” includes over 300 portraits of women from across Greece – from village homes in Evros and mountain paths in the North, to historic mansions in Rhodes and coastal landscapes of the Aegean.
Created in collaboration with local communities, each photograph is meticulously staged with ethnographic precision: embroidery, posture, gesture, and setting are carefully curated to highlight the symbolic and aesthetic value of traditional female attire.
About the Artist
Born in Athens, Giorgos Tatakis left a career as an Electrical Engineer to devote himself entirely to photography. His two main series, “Karyatis” and “Ethos”, have been exhibited internationally in major museums and galleries and have been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, and Leica Fotografie International (LFI).
With 22 international awards to his name, Tatakis captures the spirit of Greek tradition through a distinct aesthetic that combines geometric discipline with narrative power, creating images that resonate far beyond borders.
