Tilemachos Kyriazatis

'My first impression of the sea was a feeling of freedom. Ships represent the endless human quest. I want to communicate some of the awe and the sense of greatness that ships evoke' - Tilemachos Kyriazatis

Currently working in Athens, Tilemachos Kyriazatis cites the sea as a major source of inspiration that works in tandem with his fascination with colour:

'For as long as I can remember, I have always been mixing paints. My first memory is of my mother dyeing yarn for the loom, and me and my brother mixing the colours'.

Kyriazatis, who studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, also aims to impart a philosophical belief about shipping in his painting. For him, ships have connected people and transcended boundaries since early times, helping mankind to discover the world as we know it today and build civilisations. For Kyriazatis, people who work on and travel by ship are 'travelling souls', which is how he also identifies himself.

Kyriazatis' chosen medium is oil paint, which is built up in textured layers on the canvas. Travelling around many harbours in Europe, he makes quick en plein air sketches to capture the impressions of busy ports. His work has been exhibited in Greece, London, South Africa, Cyprus and Hong Kong.