An impressive exhibition of sculptures and paintings by renowned Greek sculptor Takis Kozokos will be on display at the Kogarah Town Square Library and Cultural Centre, sponsored by the Lemnian Association of NSW. Takis Kozokos, who is also an assistant professor at the Department of Architectural Engineering in the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, is also known for his remarkable work on the restoration of the Parthenon Marbles and the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The acclaimed artist is the first of Kogarah’s Artist in Residence Program, which is a new council initiative aiming to draw a wide range of artists working across different art forms to Kogarah and introduce new experiences to the community.
Participating artists live and work in the Carss Park Artist’s Cottage, in Carss Bush Park. The cottage is equipped with an artist studio and accommodation available to local, interstate and international artists.
Takis Kozokos’ works are all handcrafted in marble, using traditional sculpture techniques and tools. He also paints in Byzantine style. During his residency, Takis Kozokos has created the ‘Book of St George’, inspired by Byzantine icons of St George, an important warrior martyr saint in the Orthodox Christian tradition. St George was persecuted and beheaded by the Romans under Emperor Diocletion.
In the shape of an open book, the sculpture depicts on the left side, St George with his companion and fellow military saint St Demetrius, and on the right, an image of St George slaying the dragon. In the sculpture, the artist has also included a cockatoo and the reeds, the symbol of Kogarah. This work has been carved in Italian Carrara marble by hand, using traditional tools in the same style as those used by the sculptors of The Parthenon. The exhibition opened its gates on 3 March and will continue to showcase Kozokos’ work till 22 March.
For more information contact the Council’s Cultural Development Officer on 02 9330 8580.