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Aris Katsilakis
Born 1974
Lives and works in Serres, Greece.
www.ariskatsilakis.gr
Aris Katsilakis’s work is attempting to express the artist’s agony and worry towards the
violent changes that the genetic material of earth’s organisms are being put through,
in order to adapt to the rapid changing modern environment. His work is informed by
genetically modifi ed organisms, genetic pollution and genetically altered products.
Focusing on natural form elements like plants, nests, cocoons, vital organs, fruits, living
organisms, and through adopting different viewpoints and angles of perception, Katsilakis
builds new “bio-forms”.
Looking at nature’s forms from a different perspective began unconsciously in Katsilakis’s
early childhood, since among his very fi rst memories are the ones of his artist father studying
natural forms to gain inspiration for his ceramic artworks. Later on and whilst studying in
the Fine Arts University of Athens Katsilakis discovered nature as an inexhaustible source of
ideas and inspiration. That was the beginning of his own journey creating organic forms.

The most common material used in Katsilakis’s artworks is coloured wrapping and
tissue paper, which undergoes a repeated process of layering and moulding with glue
to create the conceived colour result. Recycled, useless materials: signs of a hyper-
consuming society, industrial residues of the modern world; plastic, rubber, carton,
newspapers, strings, unprocessed wool - all materials that are worn by time, charged
with ‘memories’ of their previous use, are being put through a process of re-composition
and transformation to be given a new life.

Katsilakis believes that with their unique properties and ‘memories’ they become part of
the creative process, by which he is trying to present a new reality. A reality that aims to
trigger the viewer’s senses, so they don’t remain uninvolved but feel as a co-perpetrator
and a part of this charmingly ugly, imaginative nature that he believes refl ects the
mutation that organic life suffers under modern man.

ARIS KATSILAKIS was born in Romania where his parents were expatriated and in 1980 he was
repatriated in Greece where he lives and works. In 1998 Katsilakis enrolled at the Fine Art School of the
Tinos Island, famous for its long history in marble producing and sculpting. He graduated from there
in 2001 with a scholarship to continue his studies at the University of Fine Arts in Athens, progressing
his studies in the Sculpture Workshop Department with Professor I. Papagiannis and in Photography
Workshop with Professor M. Babousis, both distinguished artists in their fi eld. Between 2007 to 2011
Katsilakis taught sculpture as a Lecturer (407/80) of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University
of Western Macedonia and since 2011 teaches Plastic and Pottery in the Department of Interior
Architecture, Interior Design and Drawing Objects in Technological Educational Institution of Serres,
Greece. Katsilakis presented 2 solo exhibitions held at Kaplanon 5 (Athens) and House Papavasileiou
(Serres), and in numerous group exhibitions including; Baton 7 2012, Gallery Zoumboulakis (2012),
Gallery Myro (2011), Kaplanon, House Shina, 8th Festival of Ancient Amphipolis, Greece, (2007),
Lambrakis, Municipal Gallery of Kallithea, Greece (2007), 12th International Month of Photography
2005, 11th International Month of Photography 2004 and exhibited work at the Biennale Internazionale
Vicenza 2002, Venice, Italy (2002). His works are located in private collections and public
spaces worldwide.

Above: Mutation, 2010, Coloured wrapping paper, recycled materials.
h: 60cm w: 105cm d: 110cm.

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