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| Sculpture by Filippos |
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 On
entering the Sayan residence of Filippos there is
no mistaking you’re in the sculptors’
domain. Offering a flamboyant greeting, the winged
figure of the Greek god Picaros stands tall, arms
spread and glittering bronze amongst the garden
foliage. A glance across the lawn and the eye is
drawn to an impressive wooden form, shaped somewhat
like a giant nautilus shell, that sits one the edge
of the masters' finishing workshop. Entitled ‘The
Journey of the Soul’, a closer inspection
of the work reveals a male and female figure entwined
in a Golden Mean spiral with an onyx ball, suggesting
the craftsman is contemplating the universal essence
of life. Various symbols are carved around the shell
reflecting the creator’s own journey into
mythology and ancient civilisations. This piece
was on display during the Quest for Global Healing
Conference in Ubud, at the Agung Rai Museum last
December. |
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| Born near to the ancient marble
quarries of Volos, Filippos learnt his trade in
his native Greece. He travelled extensively, visiting
Spain and Britain, then onto India, Mexico, Siberia,
Mongolia, Cambodia and Egypt. However, he instantly
knew, when he set foot in Bali fifteen years ago,
that this was to become his home. |
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 After
a number of exhibitions on the island (The
Four Seasons, Komaneka, The Ritz-Carlton and Gaya
Gallery have all housed his works) Filippos
has just embarked on his largest venture to date.
‘Love and Beyond’ is the title
for his solo exhibition at the Indonesian National
Gallery in the capital city of Jakarta. With between
thirty and thirty-five pieces on display, this exhibition
has been ten years in the making. Given the proportions
of these works, and variety of materials used, it’s
no surprise that Filippos makes use of two workshops;
one in Java, where all his marble creations are
realised, and another in Bali, where he makes use
of the fine craftsmanship of the Balinese wood carvers.
His works are then brought to his finishing workshop
at his home, a place Filippos describes as the ‘living
sculpture, always ongoing’.
No artist could fail to be inspired by the views
of the Sayan Ridge, the backdrop to a beautiful
residence housing the artist’s personal collection
of works. |
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 There
is no mistaking the sculptor’s background
and strong link to the Greek traditions. Angels
and centaurs are widely used, which, along with
attention to symmetry, create a feel of balance.
One example being a pair of large woodcarvings entitled
‘Falling Into Grace’, which stand in
the master bedroom, and portray two mortals falling
from the sky and landing in angelic pose. Filippos
explained how his pursuit lies in creating beauty
through his art form, distancing himself from more
abstract contemporary sculptors. His works are certainly
aesthetically pleasing and, whilst still mindful
of his renaissance background, Filippos feels his
style is becoming freer.
Onyx is a material he uses widely, as daylight can
be conveyed through this semi-precious stone. At
present, Filippos is also experimenting with actually
illuminating works from the inside; as he considers
light to be an important consideration. His signature
piece, ‘The Loving Eye’,
is a circular onyx sculpture consisting of seven
concaving circles that depreciate inward to a crystal
and silver centre, suggesting the light of the sun
perhaps this is what is beyond love? |
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Email : contact@sculpturebyfilippos.com
Website : www.sculpturebyfilippos.com |
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