KALFAYAN GALLERY PRESENTS VLASSIS CANIARIS

Influenced by Arte Povera and Duchampian approaches, Caniaris began incorporating found objects into his art in the early 1960s, gradually shifting towards the human figure.

His first “environments”, created in 1971, delve into the lives of economic migrants, using everyday objects like chairs, bicycles, and suitcases to reconstruct personal histories and the emotional weight of economic hardship.

The exhibition successfully highlights Caniaris’ ability to convey profound social commentary through seemingly simple materials, though at times, his emphasis on the literal can overshadow the poetic potential of his imagery. Nonetheless, his masterful use of the everyday to symbolize the migrant experience remains strikingly relevant and powerfully evocative.