George Sfougaras United Kingdom
George Sfougaras’ work is concerned with the way history, national symbols, myths, and rhetoric shape identity. He has gained recognition with his reconstructed maps and narrative portraits. His ‘Tales from an Old Fort Town’ and the ‘Forgotten Conquerors’ (suites of prints and illustrated books reclaiming aspects of Greek, Jewish and Arab history) were published in 2018.
In recent years George Sfougaras has exhibited at Leicester and Rugby Museum and Art Gallery Alexandria Library Manchester, Malta, Wales, London, and Crete. He has undertaken commissions for Cardiff University and De Lisle College and Nottingham Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Exhibition prizes were awarded for ‘Ideas on Paper, ‘Small Print International’ and ‘Cank Street Open’. He was a finalist in Freedom.org’s ‘Depicting Human Rights’ competition. Sfougaras was invited to speak on Identity at the Asia Triennial in Manchester in 2018.
In March 2019 he was an artist in residence in Chania, Crete, with residencies (in person and remotely due to Covid) in Germany from 2019 to 2021. He received Arts Council and National Portrait Gallery funding for ‘RECOVERED HISTORIES’ and 'COMING HOME' which took place from May - September 2019 in Leicester and during Journeys Festival International in August 2019. His work has been acquired by Leicester Museum Trust for the City's permanent collection.
Sfougaras is one of six ‘inspiring artists’ selected by Creative Leicestershire for their 2019-20 webinar masterclass program. He has held a variety of roles in Education, from teaching Art to most recently the headship of a Special school and as one of the Directors of the WELL Trust. He is keen to collaborate with other makers, art organizations, and community groups on projects that promote community cohesion and enhance our understanding of the human condition.
Blog: https://georgesfougaras.blogspot.com/
Artwork
The Knight, Death and the Devil 2018 (after Durer) , Pen and archival ink on heritage , 2018
Lazarus, Screenprint on Hahlemuhler paper 170 gsm, 2018
Grandmother (Yiayia) , Acrylic on heirloom fabric (cotton)., 2018
Talisman, Hand painted screen print, edition of 6., 2017, £590
Projects and exhibitions
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Light in the Darkness02/07/2021 — 19/09/2021 The installation, 'Light in the Darkness' symbolises the fragility of life and the power of hope and remembrance. Both tents (one exhibited at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery and the other touring various venues including the Leicester Unitarian Chapel) represent the common need for shelter by all exiled and displaced people and the... [Read more] |
Leicester Museum and Unitarian Chapel, Leicester | Details |
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Residency in Crete15/03/2019 — 22/03/2019 Following the publication of my book and suite of prints entitled 'Tales from an Old Fort Town' (A personal reappraisal of the Jewish history of Crete) by Etz Hayyim Synagogue in October 2018, Today, draft copies of my maps of Chania are winging its way to Crete in preparation for my visit/residency, at Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Chania, in... [Read more] |
Etz Hayyim Synagogue Under the Aegis of the Central Board of Jewish Communities of Greece (KISE) Ch, Chania, Crete, Greece | Details |
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Tales From The Castle Of The Moat: The Forgotten Conquerors A Personal Reappraisal of the Cretan Emirate 827–961 through Art and Prose05/03/2019 — 07/03/2019 Written by: George Sfougaras ‘The Forgotten Conquerors’ refers to a period in Crete’s history which is neglected in favour of the more acceptable Greek and Venetian eras. A few coins, a remarkable 11th century Byzantine codex and the writings of some enlightened historians have ensured that we can critically reflect on a significant... [Read more] |
Mehri Publication, London, London, Leicester | Details |