Ioannis Voulgaris

Artist Statement

I have a background in psychology and Fine Art. My practice interweaves philosophical and psychological concepts to explore parameters of self-identity and world perception.

In my work there is an anthropocentric essence, where the human existence is always prominent or implied. The theoretical position of Relationalism is a reoccurring concept throughout my practice.I am currently working with video, sculpture and occasionally performance and I often use humour to defamiliarize the familiar, make the ordinary extraordinary and render the real into surreal. Furthermore, language and writing progressively become important aspects of my practice.

Absurdity and humour are prominent in my pieces and this does not derive from an unthoughtful point of view. I am attracted to the multifaceted and astute writings and concepts of Sartre, Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau – Ponty.

To express my views on the absurdity of human existence, I create works, which have darkly comical characteristics that can often create laughter or gloom.