Name: Yannis Gourzis, son of Panagiotis
Specialty: Engraver - painter
Place and year of birth: Athens, 1953
e-mail: yangourz@gmail.com
www.gourzisioannis.com

Studies:
1965-1971 French language, French Institute.
1971-1973 Theory of Music, Hellenic Conservatory.
1973-1974 Graphic Arts, Center for Technological Applications.
1973-1975 GRAPHIC ARTS, T.E.I. (K.A.T.E.E.) (on a scholarship).
1968-1972 Drawing under painter K. Eliades.
1973-1974 Drawing under painter V. Vlachopoulos.
1974-1979 A.S.F.A. (Preliminary, Engraving, Fresco, Theory, under L. Kanakaki, K. Grammatopoulos, K. Xynopoulos, M. Lambrakis, P. Mylonas, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance engraver 1979-2016. 1984 - 1992 Following a competition, he undertakes the position of engraver in the National Mint. Resignes in 1992. From 1992 to 2020 he teaches printmaking/engraving at the Athens School of Fine Arts.

Other activities/biographical information:
He has been involved continuously on printmaking/engraving applications since 1979. He has engraved and edited collectible publications. He has created book covers and illustrations.
From 1979 to 1985 he has been involved in painting portable religious icons and the painting of church temples.
1991 - 1992 He teaches engraving at the School of Αpplied Crafts of the Municipality of Volos
1992: He teaches woodcut at a seminar of the Greek Printmakers Association.
1997: He teaches engraving in a seminar at the School of Primary Education of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
1990: He etches a burin for the anthology of poems titled “Poems”, Spanion publications, edit. Loukas Loukakis.
1991: He creates two burins for M. Bourboulis’ book “The Ice Prince”, Spanion publications.
1991: He creates twelve woodcuts (upright wood) for his collection “12 Engravings for 1992” (self-published).
1992: He creates two woodcuts for the collectible book “Litanies of the Rose” by Remy de Gourmont, “Delfini” publications .
1993: He engraves 12 lithographs for his collection “12 Engravings for 1994” (self-published).
1993: He engraves two lithographs for the book “Poems” by Spir, “Delphini” publications.
1993 - 1995 He was the editor of the publications and the exhibition catalogs for the Vafopouleio Cultural Center in Thessaloniki. (Following a competition).
1995: He creates three woodcuts for the collectible book by Georgia Siokou, “Delphini” publications.
1996 - 1997 He creates fifteen engravings for the collection “Rigas Ferraios-Thourios”, “K. Antonopoulos” publications, Thessaloniki.
2001: He creates a color lithograph on behalf of the “ASPIS” Bank.
2002: He creates two woodcuts for the publication “Karyotakis’ Poems ”. “Nea Vivlia” Publications, H. Moschandreou. - He creates a color lithograph on behalf of the “ASPIS” Bank.
2003: He creates six lithographs for the collectible poem collection “Lateral Sounds” by Takis Syrelis. - He creates a color woodcut on behalf of the “ASPIS” Bank.
2004: He contributes in the collectible edition “The Spirit of the Olympic Games” by the Greek Printmakers Association. - He creates three lithographs for the poem collection of Alkis Mallides, "Erotic Poems", D. Dardanos publications. - He creates woodcuts for the Calendar 2005, of the cultural organization “Theognis” of Megara.
2005: He edits and contributes with his prints in a book and a poem collection by Kia Sakellaridis, Dardanos publications.
2006: He edits and contributes with two engravings, in the volume “The Greeks of the World”, by Dimitra Tsouchlou, APOPSI publications.
2014: He creates a woodcut on the theme ‘’S. “TRIKOUPIS” for the homonymous edition of Christos Moschandreou.

He has given a series of lectures on Engraving:
1989- ET1-ET2 (radio) and 9.84FM
1991- ET1
1992- Thessaloniki-"Vafopouleio", Macedonian Art Society "TECHNI",
1992- Thessaloniki TV100
1992-ET1(radio)
1992- Athens Center of Letters-Arts “APOPSI”
1993- Athens MEGA(TV)
1994- Thessaloniki TV100, Macedonia and Thessaloniki TV
1994- Kilkis- Art space ARMOS. Serres - Center of Arts and Literature of Serres. National Gallery (in cultural network managers), etc.

Signature
He sign in 3 different ways: Γ.Π.Γ., Ι.Π.Γ., Ι.Γ.

EXHIBITIONS
a) Individual
1989: Athens, “Gallery 7”.
1991: Athens, “Evmaros” Art Gallery.
1992 Athens, “Gallery 7”.
1992: Thessaloniki, Macedonian Art Society “TECHNI”.
1993: Athens, Art Center Apopsi, Engraving. Catalogue available.
1994: Athens, Art Center Apopsi
1994: Thessaloniki, ARTFORUM Gallery, engraving - drawings. Catalogue available.
1995: Thessaloniki, Macedonian Art Society “TECHNI”.
1995: Serres, Art space "ARMOS".
1995: Thessaloniki, “Aenaon” Jewelry Exhibition Hall.
1997: Thessaloniki, ARTFORUM Gallery, Engraving. Catalogue available.
1999: Kifissia, Art Gallery “Trigono”, Engraving. Catalogue available.
1999: MYKONOS, Municipal Gallery.
2003: Megara, Municipal Art Gallery “Theognis”.
2005: Athens, Central Library of the Municipality of Athens, YIANNIS GOURZIS-Engraving. Pamphlet available.
2005: Athens, Holargos, Art Space “William James”, my prints and…more... Invitation available.
2017: Retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Rhodes

Two artists exhibitions
2007. War Museum with the collection ''Thourios'' crafted in 2006-7
2008: Saint Marcus Basilica, Heraklion, - Ceremony Hall at AUTH.
2009: Hellenic Cultural Foundation in Sofia-Bulgaria, - University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
2016: Hydra Museum-Historical Archive, ‘’Rigas Velestinlis, the Global Greek’

b) Collective Exhibitions (selection)
1987: Belgium, “ex LIBRIS” International Competition.
1988: Toronto, International Miniature Art Exhibition, (distinction).
1988: East Berlin, East Berlin Artists Union, Greek Delegation.
1988: Warsaw, National Museum.
1988: Poland, Poznan, Gallery.
1988: Moscow, Palace of Soviet Artists.
1988: Crete, 1st Biennial of Mediterranean Printmaking.
1988: Nicosia, Famagusta Gate.
1989: Leipzig, International Collectible Book Fair.
1989: Belgrade, Greek engravers.
1989: Bulgaria, Varna, International Engraving Exhibition.
1990: Kifissia, “Seasons” Gallery.
1990: Thessaloniki, “Vellidion Congress Hall”.
1990: Athens, Municipal Art Gallery, 2nd Mediterranean Engraving Biennial
1991: Sweden, International Miniature Art Exhibition MINIART'91. (distinction).
1991: Athens, “Evmaros” Gallery.
1992: Slovakia, Bratislava, Contemporary Greek Engraving.
1992: Germany, Schvezingen, Contemporary Greek Engraving.
1992: Katerini, “Dion”.
1992: Kifissia, “Anemos” Gallery.
1992: Kifissia, “Seasons” Gallery.
1993 Ljubljana, International Printmaking Biennial.
1993: Athens, "Antinor” Gallery.
1994: New Delhi, 8th International Triennial.
1994: Luxembourg, Contemporary Greek Engraving.
1994: France, Auvergne, 3rd International Small Size Art Triennial.
1994: Belgrade, 3rd International Printmaking Biennial.
1994: Paris, UNESCO Headquarters.
1994: Germany, Schvezingen, Greek woodcut, XYLON.
1994: Slovakia, Kosice, Greek woodcut.
1994: Norway, “Miniatoure 7” International Triennial .
1994: Kifissia, “Yakinthos” Gallery.
1994: Athens, Hellenic American Union.
1995: Italy, Catania, International Engraving Exhibition '95.
1995: USA, Florida, “Hellenias”.
1995: Athens, “Ora” Gallery.
1995: Athens, Greek Printmakers Association.
1996: Korea, Seoul, 9th Engraving Biennial.
1996: France, Carla Baïl, “ex LIBRIS” International Competition.
1997: Kifissia, “Seasons” Gallery.
1997: Athens, Intercontinental Hotel, Post it Art.
1997: Thessaloniki, ARTFORUM Gallery, Post it Art.
1997: Netherlands, Amsterdam, Royal Tropical Institute.
1998: Athens, Cultural Center of the Municipality of Athens.
1998: Rhodes, Castle of the Knights.
2001: Frankfurt, EXLIBRIS KUNST UND GRAFIK.
2002: Belgrade, Balkan Exhibition, ex LIBRIS Competition.
2002: Thessaloniki, Balkan Printmaking Exhibition.
2003: France, 6th International Printmaking Triennial Chamalieres.
2004: Paris, ‘LA GALLERIE LA HUNE BRENNER’.
2004: Kifissia, Art Gallery “Seasons”.
2004: Athens, National Research Foundation.
2004: Athens, ART TOWER Gallery.
2004: Athens, Press Center “Athens 2004”.
2005: Messolonghi, Moschandreou Contemporary Art Gallery, MESSOLONGHI TODAY THROUGH ART. Catalogue available.
2006: Athens, Municipal Gallery of the Municipality of Athens, Urban Landscapes.
2006: Andros, Library, with the Greek Printmakers Association (G.P.A.)
2006: Athens, Holargos, Art Space “William James”
2007: Larissa, “Katsigras” Art Gallery, with the Greek Printmakers Association
2007: Athens, ART TOWER Gallery, east-west.
2007: Athens, Benaki Museum
2007: Syros, Art Gallery, with the GPA.
2007: Metsovo, Averoff Gallery, with the GPA
2015: City of Athens Museum (Moschandreou Archive)
2016: Averoff Gallery (Moschandreou Archive)
2017: Katsigras Gallery, Corfu Gallery and ASFA (Moschandreou Archive)
2018; "Kessanlis" Hall of ASFA (Moschandreou Archive)

Participation in competitions- Public orders:
1990: After a competition he undertook the engraving of 1.60m x 2.50m xylography/woodcut for the Municipality of Volos, which was walled in at the Volos City Hall.
1991: He represents Greece with engraving (woodcut) in an international competition, in London, for the creation of a Contemporary Art Museum in Namibia.
1994: It undertakes the engraving of the medal of the city of Sitia.
1996: He represents the Athens School of Fine Arts, creating a copper engraving for the Mediterranean Olympic Games in Bari.
1997: He is responsible for the creation of a video film on Engraving, funded by the Arts and Letters Centre of the Ministry of Culture.
1998: He undertakes the creation of the stamp series “Ancient Greek Writers” for Hellenic Post.
2004: He participates in the “Days of Greek Film and Literature” organized by the Greek Embassy in Tokyo, with the video “between us”. - At his initiative, in co-operation with the Cultural Foundation of the Japanese Embassy, ASFA held a two - day seminar on traditional Japanese xylography/woodcut.
2005: He creates 11 copper etchings for Messolonghi, for the H.&S. Moschandreou. - On his initiative and in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of the Japanese Embassy, the ASFA held a course-demonstration of Japanese calligraphy.
2007: He designs engraved stamps for Hellenic Post with Rigas Velestinlis and Kostis Palamas. - He creates a woodcut portrait of Rigas Velestinlis on upright wood printed on a collectible envelope on behalf of the Hellenic Post.- He engraves a portrait of Konstantinos Karamanlis in woodcut on behalf of the Karamanlis Foundation and exhibits it at the Benaki Museum.
2011: He creates the copper stamp ''Hermes 2011'' (7 variations) on behalf of the Hellenic Post, on the occasion of the celebration of the 150 years since the publication of the first Greek stamp. He created and continues to create commemorative plaques and medals for various organizations, as well as collectibles jewelry applying engraving. In this context He engraved the “lucky” jewels of the “Friends of Music” Society of OMMA between 1998 and 2016
2016: He drew three feuillet stamps and he engraves a medal for the 2,400 years anniversary since the birth of Aristotle.
2017: He creates 7 stamps on the theme ‘’The Wise Men of Antiquity’’’

Collections and Museums:
National Gallery, Gallery of the Municipality of Athens, Collection of Engraving of the Municipality of Ag. Paraskevi, Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki, Macedonian Art Society TECHNI Thessaloniki and TECHNI Kilkis, “Vellidio”Congress Hall Thessaloniki, Macedonian Museum of Modern Art, Thessaloniki.- Institute of Culture-Art, Catania.- Museum of Contemporary International Engraving, Norway.- Collection of Biennial of Engraving, Belgrade. - Collection of the International Miniature Exhibition, Toronto. - Banks (Ionian, Greece, Macedonia-Thrace, Aspis).- Astir Insurance Company, 3M Athens and 3M Minnesota Collection, USA, Philatelic Museum of Athens etc.

Public Activity
He has been a member of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece since 1979, and in 1984-1994 he served in various administration posts (curator of engraving and treasurer, vice president, president, international relations officer). Member of other associations and companies:
Member of the Association of ASFA Graduates since 1979.
Member of the Committee on Visual Arts of the Ministry of Culture (1987-1994 and 2001-2003). Member of the Honorary Pensions Committee of the Ministry of Culture (1993-1994). Founding member of the Greek Printmakers Association (in its administration from 1986 to 1989). Founding member of the Movement for A Chamber of Fine Arts of the Mediterranean (and vice president 1992 - 1995). Consultant at the Literature and Arts Center (1995-1997).
Member of the ASFA Professors Association (President 2005 - 2013 & 2014 - 2018).
Member of the ELTA Advisory Council for Philatelism (2005-2017). Member of the Secondary Tier Jury of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece (2005-2006) and the Primary Tier Jury 2016-2017. Initiator and founding member, Vice President of the Organizing Committee and President of the Selection Committee of the first and the second International Engraving Triennial for small size and EX LIBRIS at Lefkas island in 2005 and 2008.

Method and materials:
He uses all printmaking techniques (rotogravure, letterpress, lithography, woodcut, wood engraving, intaglio-burin, etching, mixed techniques).
The following wrote texts/articles for Yiannis Gourzis:
Papadopoulos Pan. Philosophy Professor, Art critic, wrote a text for the exhibition in “William James” Art Hall.
Chrisanthos Christou, History of Art Professor at UoA, Member of the Academy of Athens, “An etching opus of personal exploration, miniature types and poetic depictions”.
Katia Kilesopoulou, Art Historian, catalogue of the “Engraving” exhibition in “ARTFORUM” Gallery, Thessaloniki, 1997.
Athina Schoina, “The Picture as a Channel of the perception”, catalogue of the “Engraving” exhibition in “APOPSI” Art Centre, Athens 1993.
Vivi Vasilopoulou, Catalogue of the Exhibition “Prints and Draws” in “ARTFORUM” Gallery, Thessaloniki 1994.
Dim Pavlopoulos, art historian, UoA Professor, catalogue of the Exhibition “Engraving”, “TRIGONO” Art Hall, Kifissia, 1999. Athens, catalog of the exhibition printmaking, “Trigona” Art Gallery, Kifissia 1999.

Documentation:
1. ENGRAVING, exhibition catalogue, “Apopsi” Art Hall, Athens 1993, text by Athina Schoina.
2. PRINTS AND DRAWINGS, exhibition catalogue, “ARTFORUM” Gallery, text by Athina Schoina and Vivi Vasilopoulou.
3. ENGRAVING, exhibition catalogue, “ARTFORUM” Gallery, Thessaloniki 1997, text by Katia Kilesopoulou
4. ENGRAVING, exhibition catalogue, “TRIGONO” Art Hall, Kifissia 1999, text by Dimitris Pavlopoulos. Pavlopoulos.
5. MESSOLONGHI TODAY THROUGH ART, collective exhibition catalogue, Moschandreou Contemporary Art Gallery, Messolonghi 2005.
6. ENGRAVING, exhibition leaflet, Municipal Library of Athens, Athens 2005
7. My prints and…more... exhibition catalogue, William James Art Hall, Cholargos, Athens 2005.