Sadly, artist Panos Tsolakos, a curious man who was always open to innovation and actively participated in the movement to elevate ceramics from a material exclusive to applied art to sculptural art, has left us at the age of 90.
Born in 1934 in Chalkis, Greece, Panos came to Faenza in 1960 on a scholarship and has not left our city since, becoming a leading figure in contemporary ceramic sculpture, not only in the area.
After attending the Art Institute for Ceramics and Carlo Zauli’s studio, his artistic research has always focused on stoneware as a material and glazing techniques through the use of ashes and open flame, which characterize his sculptures with flamings, thick glaze drippings and deformations.
In 1964 he participated for the first time in the International Competition of Ceramic Art in Faenza, placing second. In 1971 he won the Faenza Prize and first prize in the International Competition for Ceramics in Gualdo Tadino.
In 1972 his works were featured at the Venice Biennale.
In the same year, he began a long collaboration with Ceramica Iris by designing the ‘Logos’ series of floor and wall tiles. Of note, the 2004 work, a third-fire stoneware and gold column made for the Athens Olympics, placed in Maroussi.
In the last years of his life, he loved teaching and collaborating with the students and much-loved young people of the Liceo Artistico in Faenza and IFTS, and a major exhibition was planned for this year to be held in collaboration with MIC and the Carlo Zauli Museum.
Some of his works are on display at the MIC in Faenza. His latest work “Caleidos,” made with students of the Liceo artistico in 2023, is set up in the entrance hall on San Nevolone Street of Faenza’s Liceo Artistico.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
