ICONIC PRESENCES: Solo Exhibition by Giorgio Bounias at Tsantilis Art Gallery

Tsantilis Art Gallery presents the solo exhibition ICONIC PRESENCES by contemporary visual artist Giorgio Bounias, opening on Friday 16 January

The exhibition ICONIC PRESENCES presents a dynamic body of mixed-media works through which Giorgio Bounias re-examines historical, cultural and artistic figures from Greece and the international sphere.

By combining collage, painting, archival material and typographic elements, the artist creates contemporary portraits that move between memory, identity and collective consciousness. Iconic personalities such as Pavlos Melas, Maria Callas and Frida Kahlo emerge from multi-layered surfaces of newspapers, imagery and expressive colour gestures, transformed into timeless symbols of cultural presence.

About the Artist

Giorgio Bounias was born in Greece and studied conservation of artworks and antiquities in Italy, completing internships at the Vatican and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence—experiences that profoundly shaped his artistic practice.

Alongside painting, he has worked in visual and stage design for theatre productions at the Theatro Technis Karolos Koun and Vasilakou Theatre, collaborating with actress Elli Tringou. His work includes collage, mixed media pieces and interventions on the skulls of horned cattle, exploring the relationship between historical memory and contemporary expression.

He has exhibited in major cultural venues and international galleries, including the Marathon Museum and the Tsitsanis Museum, as well as at the Petit Palais of Athens and the Bageion Hotel (2020). He has also participated in projects by the Greek National Opera and the CREAID Foundation.

Curatorial Note

With ICONIC PRESENCES, Tsantilis Art Gallery continues its consistent commitment to presenting artists who engage meaningfully with history while maintaining a strong contemporary visual identity. The exhibition addresses both discerning collectors and an international audience.

About Tsantilis Art Gallery

Tsantilis Art Gallery is a leading art destination in Athens, with an exclusive focus on investment-grade masterpieces of 20th-century Greek art and contemporary creation. With nearly 100 years of history, the gallery is recognised for its deep expertise, credibility and international reputation.

Tsantilis Art Gallery curates collections in luxury private residences in New York, Monaco and Kolonaki, and has been featured in major international and Greek media including Tatler, Vogue UK, Louis Vuitton Travel, Kathimerini, CNN and TV5.