Dimitris
Mytaras (1934-)
Mytaras' art is chiefly inspired by the human figure. Through an idiosyncratic fusion of
naturalism and expressionism, Mytaras creates art that is sensitive to human emotion and colour. His work is
full of dynamic brushstrokes, while bright patches of colour instil balance into his compositions. After the '60s,
Mytaras' art moved towards Critical Realism, while from 1975 an expressionistic approach is more and more apparent
in his work.
True to the Critical Realism manifesto, Mytaras commented on life in Greece during the military junta, through a
series of works entitled Photographic Documents (1966-70).
Later still, the artist introduced the ancient Greek element into his picture-planes. In the late '70s, Mytaras
created a series of portraits inspired by celebrated Greek figures of the art world - such as gallery owner Peggy Zoumboulaki and National Gallery Director Marina Lambraki-Plaka . More
recently, he adopted the symbol of the running motorcycle to depict the speed of contemporary life.
Mytaras studied at the Athens
School of Fine Arts (1953-57) under acclaimed artist Yannis
Moralis. He went on to study stage design
at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.
Between 1964-1972, he directed the Interior Decoration Workshop
of the Athens Technological Institute. In 1969, Mytaras was
appointed assistant at the Painting Workshop of the Athens
School of Fine Arts, where he has taught since 1975. A prolific
artist, Mytaras has participated in more than 30 international
group shows, including the 1972 Venice Biennale.
