In the frame of the Cultural Festival of the Municipality of Apokoronas – Summer 2015 the first art exhibition of artists with special needs will take place in the Town Hall of the village of Kalives, birthplace and residence (for most of his life) of the famous mouth painting artist Elias Raftopoulos. The exhibition aims to remind everyone that art has no limits and can be used as a ‘bridge’ uniting different worlds, taking as an example the life and work of Elias Raftopoulos.
The exhibition opens with two art workshops given by artist Sylvia Petsoura and an art exhibition from the students of special needs schools of Chania on May 9 & 10 and it will remain open to the public until May 22.
Opening hours: 9am – 2pm
A few words about Elias Raftopoulos
World renowned mouth painting artist Elias Raftopoulos was born in 1958 in Kalives, where he spent most of his life.
He studied painting on his own from a very young age with the help of his father, and soon he became a known artist in the region of Apokoronas. In 1979 Elias started his studies in the Athens School of Fine Arts, but two years later a tragic car accident left him quadriplegic.
Elias returned to his art studies four years after his accident, in 1985, after a period of recovery and rehabilitation, and created many works of art using only his mouth. He became a member of AMFPA, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World.
His art work often deals with religious subjects, landscapes, scenes of everyday or imaginary life, but the main inspiration of the artist comes from the female subject and the eroticism her figure inspires.
He became known for his unique talent and was recognized by major galleries around the world. Elias has had more than 20 individual exhibitions of his work in Greece, Japan, USA, Spain, England, Portugal and Australia.
He spent the last years of his life living and working in Stockholm, traveling in Greece and other countries.
Elias Raftopoulos died in Kalives in 2014 at the age of 54.