XARILAOS
the artmaker
the story behind the art
Artist & Sculptor
Born in Athens in 1960, Xarilaos is a self-taught visual artist whose deep, instinctive connection with the fine arts emerged at an early age. Following years of personal exploration, experimentation and exposure to diverse artistic influences, he ultimately found his distinctive mode of expression in three-dimensional sculptural compositions.
His artistic identity began to take its definitive form in early 2015, marking the beginning of an exceptionally prolific creative period during which he has produced hundreds of works.
Philosophy & Materials: The Second Life of Matter
Xarilaos’ artistic practice is an ongoing exploration of the boundaries of sculpture and the possibilities of form. At the heart of his work lie wood — often objets trouvés — and pebbles: two materials with contrasting tactile and expressive qualities that, in his hands, come together in a delicate yet compelling balance.
With a particular affinity for pine and vine wood, Xarilaos deliberately seeks out materials that already bear a strong visual identity and a history of their own, often having endured fire, storms or other forces of nature.
Rather than imposing a predetermined form upon them, he approaches each piece as an observer, allowing the material itself to lead the creative process. He reveals the resilience, natural lines and “scars” embedded in its surface, transforming what remains after nature’s trials into contemporary works of sculptural art.
The Studio as a Point of Reference
Xarilaos’ creative base and natural sanctuary lies in Paiania, within an expansive, tree-filled landscape that he personally tends and nurtures. His daily connection with the land, his close observation of nature, and his enduring fascination with its innate ability to create art form the foundation of his inspiration — a constant point of reference throughout his artistic journey.
From the Studio to the Gallery
Xarilaos’ first solo exhibition marked a defining moment in his artistic journey, bringing his work beyond the intimacy of the studio and into the public realm.
His sculptures, rooted in the natural environment from which their materials emerge, now enter into a broader dialogue with contemporary art, architecture and interior design.
Yet the philosophy behind the work remains unchanged: nature is always the starting point. Xarilaos observes each material closely, allowing its existing form to guide him and intervening only when necessary. Traces of time, fire, water and weathering are not imperfections to be erased, but essential elements of each work’s identity.
The result is a meeting of two worlds: the raw, untamed character of nature and the refined language of contemporary space — without compromising the authenticity of either.
The Journey Ahead
The next chapter of Xarilaos’ work turns towards scale, space and the human presence.
The Mega and Pendula collections are expanding to include new statement sculptures conceived for large architectural settings and contemporary interiors. At the same time, Xarilaos is opening his practice to new collaborations with architects and interior designers in Greece and internationally, exploring the relationship between sculpture and the spaces we inhabit.
A new thematic exhibition is also taking shape, delving further into the dialogue between raw nature and contemporary minimalist form.
Alongside this evolution, Xarilaos is exploring a new dimension of his practice: the relationship between the human body and sculpture. Scale, movement and the human form encounter natural materials in an emerging artistic direction that will begin to unfold in 2027.
More collections
Maxima Collection
Medium Collection
Maxima Collection
Mega Collection
Pendula Collection
