A “Voyage Within” by Vangelis Kyris

He welcomes me at the entrance to his studio which he himself has designed and constructed from scratch. You can see his touch in every single corner, in every single portrait. His walls are like a diary imprinting his very soul.

And he starts talking about his “Voyage Within” collection, with the purity and enthusiasm of a small child. What is “Voyage Within”? His work through his voyages capturing the essence of each country he visited as a selection of post cards. He perceived the idea right after his father’s passing away four years ago. However as a child during the late sixties and early seventies the family received post cards from relatives from all over the world. These post cards were collected in a box. A box little Vangelis cherished as it were treasures from unknown places. Each image was carved into his memory. Each stamp brought about a new wave of enthusiasm and curiosity. The voyages started taking roots within him. The box helped him travel, imagine, dream making him realize there is another world, another life out there waiting to be discovered by his own genuine intentions and capabilities.

When he turned 18 he started travelling in Europe. A magical journey where he started adding his own post cards to the inspirational box. A career in fashion started and for 20 years he accompanied the Gynaika magazine and Aris Terzopoulos all over the world. A miracle for his restless spirit. During his journeys he always brought back objects, clothing, and selected pieces art as if he brought a trophy to his home. He comprehends and conceives the depth and the essence of “Motherland”. In Yemen he didn’t see a female face. Not even once. In Nepal he was impressed with the unusual combination of poverty and finesse. Their amazing capability in matching colors, clothing and impressions having as the source of their inspiration, the tradition. This is when he decides he will never be a “tourist”, but always a “voyager”.  

So based on his visual exposure he saw the philosophy, the heart and soul of “Voyage Within” as the combination of the very moment when night melts into day. The second of darkness and light blending. The beauty emerging from poverty. Tangible contrasts completing each other. Four elements of nature fire, air, water, earth being experienced and absorbed by five senses touch, smell, sight and hearing. The absolute perception of Voyage Within is through human’s sixth sense. That complete “knowing” of what a work of art tells you and you only. That single most private moment that belongs to the beholder.  

This personal message in V. Kyris’ work and its adaptability are the result of his “intentions” when making the portraits. There were many times when he noticed a glance, a look, an expression which inspired him to take a picture. Amazingly the outcome was totally opposite! For example the portrait of Calliope was meant to be a Viking fragile beauty and it came out as the tribal leader of Samoans. He puts it simply: “Whatever is to be perceived shall be perceived by my audience.” This is the beauty of the art. Freedom to comprehend, analyze, and to identify with.  

Here I start exploring Vangelis’ soul more persistently. I got to know the essence and the root of “Voyage Within”. How about its creator? If he were to be one of his heroes in the selection, which one could best represent him?  Once again his reply left me awestruck. It would be either the “Monk” or the “Warrior”. “The internal journey of a monk’s spirituality is what represents me completely. The solitary life is what terrifies me. Here lays the challenge! On the other hand the “Warrior” is the force fighting for light, justice, and ironically peace. This is where my astir and diligent self makes its presence known.”  Two opposite personalities within. Vangelis Kyris tumbles between two extremes, two opposites, two sides to the nevertheless same coin. His favorite colors? Black and White. There is no room for grey in this exceptional artist’s soul. Grey is simply ordinary.

Vangelis Kyris

Time to make this extraordinary journey of your own. The Voyage Within.