Jannis Varelas

Born 1977 in Athens, Greece

Lives and works in Athens, Greece and Los Angeles, USA

Jannis Varelas’ work reflects on the human condition. His paintings are the outcome of a process of reinvention and metamorphosis of the self. With his works, Varelas goes back to the images of the body, exploring the form and the cultural representations of the human figure and its psychological landscape. The artist stages his models and uses objects, costumes and interior-like spaces that he reconstructs in his studio, as indicators of narrative and identity. The central place of the body and its psychogeography are the key elements of the artists’ practice, revealing the process of self-definition, the collective subconscious and its repressed desires and impulses. 

Exhibitions (selection) / solo: Marlows’ Dreams, The Breeder, Athens, GR (2022); Double-Blind, The Breeder, Athens, GR (2021); The Island, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki (2020); Jannis Varelas, Tennis Elbow, New York, US (2019); Anima I, The Benaki Museum, Athens, GR (2019); Our House, Galerie Forsblom, Stockholm (2018); The Pomegranate Circus / Under the Chair, Galerie Forsblom, Helsinki (2017); Monster, Onassis Cultural Center, Athens, GR (2017); Black Frames, Special Commission for Onassis Cultural Center, New York, US (2017) and others. Group: Mr Robinson Crusoe stayed home, The Benaki Museum, Athens, GR (2021); On The Level Or The Man Who Fell Out Of Bed, Krinzinger Schottenfeld, Vienna (2021); Distorted Portrait, Space K Seoul, South Korea (2020); Supergood- dialogues with Ernesto de Sousa, MAAT Museum, Lisbon (2018); Instructions for Happiness, 21er Haus, Vienna (2017); Firefliesin the Night Take Wing, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, GR (2016); 21er Haus, Vienna (2014); Hell As Pavilion, Paper – works from the Saatchi Collection, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK DESTE Prize 2011, Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens (2011); 12th Cairo Biennial, Cairo (2010); 1st Athens Biennial, Athens, GR (2007) and others.