The flame

Costas Varotsos was born in 1955 in Athens. From 1973 to 1976, he studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, followed by architectural studies at the Scuola di Architettura in Pescara from 1976 to 1981. In 1990-1991, he received a Fulbright scholarship to travel to New York.
His early works in the early 1980s were on the borderline between painting and sculpture, but his interest in the relationship between the artwork and space was evident. Glass, particularly glass plates, became the primary characteristic material in his works. His first artwork created with glass plates was "The Poet" in 1983, which was placed at the Gate of Ammochostos and later served as the foundation for the sculpture "Runner" in Athens. His extensive body of work primarily consists of sculptural compositions, many of which are in situ works located in natural landscapes or urban spaces.
He has presented his artwork in solo and group exhibitions in galleries, museums and public spaces. He has also represented Greece in international events such as the Sao Paulo Biennale (1987) and the Venice Biennale (1999). In 1993, he participated in the Venice Biennale representing Italy. He has received recognition for his contributions, including being awarded the title of "Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana de la Republica Italiana" in 2004 and the "Segno d’Oro" award in 2007.