Winner of the 2025 MATAROA Award at the 8th Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair

‘’...As Socrates said in his Apology, he likened the role of the intellectual to that of a gadfly (horsefly) that stings the strong and proud horse, the Athenians, for sometimes they become sluggish. Just so, art stings the recipient and incites them to action...’’

The series is called “Courage” and derives from the two roots “Thárros” (bravery) and “Thrassos” (audacity). These are characteristics found in the behaviour of the common fly; an insect that disturbs and provokes movement. The concept for the first work of the series was conceived in 2016 when I first used the fly as a symbol. At that time, I intervened in the kitchen of the School of Fine Arts of Thessaloniki, disrupting its function by introducing magnetic, moving flies into the space. Since then, the fly has followed my work.

I want the art I create to disturb and provoke thought and reflection. The fly is used as a pointer in my work to point out crucial issues. In this installation, we observe a readymade car wreck being flattened by a marble fly. A reversal of the crushing of the fly by the massive vehicle. In times of war, attention is necessary, as is movement. Despite the severity of the conditions, the message remains bright and disturbing for the viewer.