Hell on Earth: Stelios Faitakis

by Stelios Faitakis

Stelios Faitakis masterfully depicts modern subjects in a style reminiscent of iconic paintings of the Middle Ages. The distinctive and technically outstanding visual language of the paintings of young Greek artist Stelios Faitakis skillfully combines the depiction of modern subjects with the influence of Byzantine, Russian, and Eastern iconic painting. The trademarks of his work are the intensive use of the color gold and images of halos, which were prevalent in medieval painting styles. Faitakis’s perspectives are unsettling, his content provocative. Referencing numerous styles, his images juxtapose Medusa-headed giraffes with skateboarders riding waves of destruction or religious martyrs and bizarre gangsters with suffering lovers. Violence, death, and destruction lay siege to his apocalyptical landscapes. Stelios Faitakis, who currently lives in Athens and has been painting since he was a child, builds worlds out of his images just as masterfully as he breaks them down again. The richness of detail in his work can be seen in the context of Pieter Bruegel and Mexican mural art. His powerful figurative technique takes installation to a new level that shows how criticism of current social conditions can be combined with timeless spiritual intensity in innovative ways. Since receiving his degree from the Athens School of Fine Arts, Stelios Faitakis has exhibited his work in numerous successful shows around the world. Most notably, his large scale mural paintings received international accolades at the Athens Biennale in 2008 and at Art Basel Miami in 2009.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2011

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rendered as iconographic images yet dealing with modern situations makes these paintings hauntingly surreal. The images are even more striking because of the religious connotations that the use of icons; it makes the viewer think even deeper of the connection between the acts of violence that are often associated with a particular religious perspective. Powerful and haunting.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came across this book wandering the shelves. Stelios Faitakis' street art is so powerful and intense. I really affiliated with his use of orthodox icons. His use of symbolism and the rebellion was inspiring. This was a perfect book to trip over.

[Krysia Meráki Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stelios Faitakis dejó hace un año este mundo, pero en esta obra queda inmortalizada sus obsesiones por el fin de los tiempos y los grandes demonios qué acechan este mundo en pleno caos.

[Fabian Williges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stelios Faitakis malt im Stil byzantinischer Ikonen. Doch er malt heute, im 21. Jahrhundert. Er beschäftigt sich mit Themen bis zur Gegenwart. Und auch sein Blick auf historische Personen ist ein heutiger. Aber alles konsequent im Stil Byzanz'. Ein wirklich besonderer und schöner Bildband.