George Vakalo
about
Born in 1902 in Constantinople, he took his first lessons in painting and miniatures by the painter and writer Lyssandros Prassinos. After the end of “World War I” he went to Paris and studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs and the workshops of the Grande Chaumière and the Académie Julian (1922-1928). He also apprenticed himself to stage designer Ladislas Medgyes and at the avant-garde Theatre de l’Atelier of Charles Dullin, becoming its permanent associate in the 1930s. He also worked with other Parisian troupes, such as the Compagnie des Quinze. Returning to Greece in 1940, he continued as stage designer for all the state theatres and the most important directors of the independent stage.
He presented his first solo exhibition of paintings at “Parnassus” in 1946. His painting shows a personal idiom and a purely poetic mood. In his early work, he introduces surrealist elements and schematized forms in imaginary settings, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Gradually he adopts a more abstract style with emphasis on dynamic compositions and bright colors.
He was a founding member of the “Stathmi” group (1949). In 1957, together with P. Tetsis, F. Frantzeskaki and Eleni Vakalo, he founded the first School of Decorative Arts in Greece, and taught there until 1978. He published texts in newspapers and magazines, and in 1979 Kedros published his book on a Concise history of Stage Design.
He presented his work in many solo exhibitions in Greece and abroad, and participated in various group shows, international exhibitions of stage design, Parisian Salons, the Panhellenic Exhibitions, the exhibitions Grekish Konst (Stockholm, 1947) and Modern Greek Artists (London, 1966), the Biennale of Alexandria (1968). In 1938 he received the 1st Award at the Carmine exhibition in Paris, and in 1953 the French government named him a Knight of the Legion of Honour for his services to French theatre. Paintings and stage designs of his can be found in major museums and collections in Greece, Europe and America.
