PARIS.- Michel Rein opened the first solo exhibition of Apóstolos Georgíou at the gallery in Paris.

Following an initial presence at our booth at Art Basel, Paris 2024, we are presenting a selection of recent works by this major figure in the contemporary art scene.

Apóstolos Georgíou’s paintings, often large-scale, are characterized by depictions of men and women sketched with broad brushstrokes. His geometric compositions structure the pictorial space with architectural precision, creating scenes that explore the human condition and our relationships with one another.

Apóstolos Georgíou offers a unique perspective on human interactions. Without seeking realism, his paintings depict anonymous figures in enigmatic situations, often absurd or existential. His paintings and drawings are marked by pastel tones, refined forms, and characters often appearing unbalanced or unfinished. The bodies are frequently caught in gestures that suggest deep psychological tensions. The loosely sketched faces enhance the universality of these figures, turning them into archetypes of the human condition.

Drawing from the traditions of Expressionism and Surrealism, Apóstolos Georgíou approaches these themes with a contemporary sensibility, questioning the individual’s relationship to space, others, and themselves.

Apóstolos Georgíou’s art is profoundly humanistic. From particular stories, he manages to create works that speak—beyond trends or identity questions—to the best part of ourselves. He invites us to view humanity, the beauty of the world, and the values of love and life with kindness.

Apóstolos paints with precision, without pathos or the intent to impose a point of view. The viewer maintains a dialogue with his paintings and drawings, retaining complete freedom of interpretation.

Another central subject in Apóstolos Georgíou’s work is painting itself. The organization of space, the interaction of colors, and the interplay between painted and unpainted surfaces—beyond the boundaries of figuration and abstraction—lend his works a striking power. Apóstolos reaches “the necessary place, which is that of painting itself. A place where nature is not a subject, where space is an urban and linguistic condition shaped by the hand and mind, where the movement of bodies and the lives of beings are punctuated by nervous strokes and impossible encounters.”*

Born in 1952 in Thessaloniki, Apóstolos Georgíou lives and works between Athens and Skópelos. Initially trained in architecture in Vienna, he later devoted himself to studying painting in Florence from 1973 to 1975.

Apóstolos Georgíou’s works are part of prestigious collections worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou (Paris); Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris); Fondation Prat (Paris); Kadist Art Foundation (Paris); EMST - National Museum of Contemporary Art (Athens); National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne); Nouveau Musée National (Monaco); Frank F. Yang Art & Education Foundation (Shenzhen); European Investment Bank (Luxembourg); Tia Collection (Santa Fe); and AMMA Fundación (Mexico).

His work has been exhibited at Documenta 14 (Athens and Kassel); the 10th Gwangju Biennale; Passerelle Centre d'Art Contemporain (Brest); Frank F. Yang Art & Education Foundation (Shenzhen); Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art (Thessaloniki); EMST National Museum of Contemporary Art (Athens); Nouveau Musée National de Monaco; Centre Pompidou (Paris); Gagosian Gallery (Athens); Centre Régional d'Art Contemporain (Sète); 4th Thessaloniki Biennale; DESTE Foundation (Athens); and Mostyn (Wales).


*Denys Zaccharopooulos, in Le Repoussoir, 2005