Yiannis Kounelis

Giannis Kounelis was born in Athens to educational parents. During his school years, he was always distinguished for his painting skills. After completing his secondary education and obtaining a degree in Electronic Engineering, he joined the “ODESSA” paint factory to create new color shades with his own recipes. The success of his combinations was significant, leading to the modernization and upgrading of the company. His involvement in color composition at “ODESSA” eventually led him to painting, where he knew from an early age what he mainly wanted to pursue in his life. He took his first Free Drawing lessons at a private school in Athens. He started with sketching, icon painting, realism, and portraiture. He became a regular contributor to the daily newspaper “Alitheia Karditsas,” creating cartoons for 8 years. He apprenticed with the painting teacher Theodore Pantos and became a member of the “TECHNOTHYRA” group. He continued and moved between two movements, the (naif) and the (neue Wilde). His constant search eventually led him to Cubism, influenced by George Braque, Pablo Picasso, who fascinated and ultimately conquered him. He has held 10 solo exhibitions and participated in 20 group exhibitions.