Interview with Giannis Roupas

Interview to Sissy Sigioultzi – Rooka, Philologist, Writer, member of the Union of Journalists Periodical & Electronic Press NWE, Radio Producer at radio1d.gr and President of the”Greek Cyprus Cultural Association”

A paragraph about myself

I am a graduate of the Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences of the University of Ioannina in the field of painting. My Master’s Degree in Audiovisual Arts in the Digital Age belongs to the Ionian University Master’s Degree Program of Sound and Visual Arts. My work consists mainly of shapes and colours. Art is very important to me, as it is the key to my perception of the world and is the main way I filter the environment, the people and the interrelationship between them. It is also my means of expression and shaping of emotions, reaction and release of various pressures, but also the design of my visions.

My Inspiration

Inspiration sources are everywhere. Any aspect of everyday life can be a cause for creation, as long as it arouses interest; either positive or negative. On the other hand, inspirational occasions for one are often offered by the media, cinema, electronic games, a book, a comic, a poster, a graffiti or even a work of any art form. The history of art and contemporary artists play a very important role in my work, many of whom have voluntarily or unintentionally influenced my artistic vision. There is an obvious admiration for the grotesque drawings of Leonardo da Vinci’s heads, of Francis Bacon’s “mighty” paintings and of Francisco Goya’s Los Caprichos engravings.

My mediums

I work mainly with oils, because they have many and varied tones and bring out a vitality that I particularly like. Because, however, as my nature I declare being curious and as a spirit restless, I do not hesitate to experiment and use any material that may produce pigment. Also, each object can find a place in the creations, depending on the inspiration and the theme. Nothing in art is discarded as useless and is not left unused, since it can create or even be reborn.

My Technique and Style

I especially love painting. It makes me feel content, because it gives me ground and room for experimentation and evolution in many ways. Of course, I also like engraving and constructions, as I consider them to be amazing means of expression.

How do you define the end, the point of completion for each one of your artworks?

The completion of each work comes on its own. You do not define it, you feel it. It is as if you have feel you are “full” on creation- you have filled your senses and you have the inner information that the initial conception took a form that satisfies you, because it does not invite you to complete anything else.

How important is naming your artworks? How do you choose a name?

The name of the works usually arises “after performing them”. In the course of creation, it emerges almost self-evidently, metaphysically. Sometimes, less often, it precedes the start or after the completion of the project. Usually this refers to cases where the subject is given as a general concept and a sudden detail comes at an unsuspecting time, defining the peculiarity of inspiration, as a title that gives spark to the original idea. The title is not however, the main thing. A remarkable work will be recognized in the critical perception of the public primarily as a creation and in second reading as a title.

Why did you choose art in your life?

Art is considered a lonely occupation , but as I said earlier it is a need. I dare to say it is a biological need, therefore self-evidently something like breathing. Just as one does not have to think when to breathe, but if one does not, one ceases to live, so I think it is impossible to imagine one’s life without art, since in it one thinks, speaks, expresses himself and mostly dreams. In this way I acquire whatever knowledge I have about myself. It is the means for self-knowledge, in order to improve, recognize our vulnerabilities, strengths and weaknesses.