Houliaras Giorgos (1947)

Born in Ioannina in 1947, he studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1965-1970) under Yannis Pappas. He made a study of Greek art on a Greek-state domestic scholarship (1972-1974). He continued his studies on an EOEX scholarship in England (sculpture and pottery; West Surrey College, 1974-1975) and then in Paris (1975-1977), where he attended César’s sculpture workshop at the École des Beaux Arts and the pottery programme of the École Superieure des Arts et Metiers.
He presented his first solo exhibition of sculpture at Nees Morfes (1977). Initially he uses materials which underscore the solidity of forms, such as stone (mainly limestone), cement, terracotta and metal. He creates sculptures and reliefs that usually start from the human figure, with a tendency towards formalisation that alludes to Greek folk art and archaic sculpture. Later he moves on to more abstract renderings while expanding his range of materials to include marble, bronze, steel, aluminium, iron, glass... The different qualities of each material become part of the sculptural creation.
In 1978 he joins other colleagues in setting up the Sculptors’ Union to promote contemporary sculpture through open-air exhibitions. In 1981 he embarks on a long collaboration with architects Susana and Dimitris Antonakakis. His compositions become more closely linked to the architectural setting and are incorporated into the design of buildings. During the same period he creates a great number of works for public spaces, many of which won awards.
His interest in promoting contemporary sculpture in public spaces is reflected in his active participation in committees and various collective bodies as well as in organising sculpture symposia in various Greek cities. He worked as professor of sculpture at ASFA (2001-2014). He also served as a Vice-rector at ASFA (2003-2006).
He presented his work in many solo and group exhibitions, often in outdoor venues. In 1980 he represented Greece in the Balkan Exhibition of Bucharest (honorary distinction) and in 1988 he took part in the small sculpture Biennale in Budapest. There have been two retrospectives of his work in Ioannina, in 1994 (Cultural Centre) and 2009 (Zossimea School). His monumental sculptures can be found in various Greek cities (Ioannina, Larissa, Nea Ionia, Drapetsona...) and at Fetal Medicine in London.