Alexandros Garnavos is a Greek visual artist, photographer, scenographer, and costume designer whose work spans photography, painting, theatre, film, and mixed-media installations. He is recognized for his distinctive artistic approach that explores memory, identity, time, urban environments, and the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit.

Early Life and Education

Garnavos studied at the Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences at the University of Ioannina in Greece. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in visual arts, initially focusing on painting before expanding into photography and multidisciplinary artistic practices. According to interviews, his first digital camera was a Canon 1000D, while his first analogue camera was a Ricoh FF-3AF that originally belonged to his parents.

Artistic Development

Photography began as a personal visual diary for Garnavos. He frequently carried an analogue camera and documented everyday experiences, gradually refining his visual language through observation and experimentation. His artistic philosophy emphasizes capturing moments, preserving memories, and examining how time influences both individuals and environments.

Walking through cities and observing daily life became a central element of his creative process. He has stated that walking helps him understand his presence within a space and allows him to study how history, culture, and urban development shape contemporary experiences.

Photography Style

One of Garnavos’s most notable photographic themes involves the documentation of hands. What began as a way to preserve memories of people important to him evolved into a larger artistic project conducted across different cities and travels. Rather than photographing famous landmarks, he often focused on hands as symbols of human presence, creativity, and destruction.

His photography is characterized by:

• Minimalist compositions
• Atmospheric urban imagery
• Themes of memory and absence
• Anonymous or partially hidden subjects
• Strong theatrical influences
• Analogue photography techniques
• Exploration of identity and transformation

Garnavos has explained that his preference for photographing hands stems from his belief that they are the most expressive and powerful part of the human body, capable of both creation and destruction.

Theatre and Costume Design Career

Beyond photography, Garnavos has built a significant career in theatre. He has worked as a costume designer, assistant costume designer, scenographer, and assistant scenographer on numerous Greek theatrical productions. His work behind the scenes has influenced the aesthetic qualities of his photography, particularly his interest in identity, performance, and visual storytelling.

Notable theatre productions associated with him include:

• The Contented (2018)
• Jugerman (2019–2020)
• Doxa Kini from Filellini Street (2020)
• Kotzabasis of Kastropirgos (2020–2021)
• Prometheus Bound (2021)
• Medea (2022)
• The Collaborator (2022)
• Chalepas (2022)
• A House as Bright as Day (2023)
• Frogs (2023)
• The Matchmaker (2024)

Film and Television Work

Garnavos has also contributed to film and television productions, particularly within costume and wardrobe departments. He is credited for work on:

• Crimes of the Future (2022)
• House of David (2025)
• Hot Spot (2026)

His experience in film and theatre has strengthened his multidisciplinary approach, blending cinematic storytelling with visual art and photography.

Artistic Philosophy

A recurring theme in Garnavos’s work is the relationship between memory, time, and place. He often explores how the past remains embedded within contemporary culture and urban landscapes. His projects frequently investigate how external influences shape human behavior and identity.

Rather than limiting himself to one medium, he works across:

• Photography
• Painting
• Video installation
• Costume design
• Scenography
• Mixed-media visual art

He has expressed a desire to create powerful images that communicate strong messages and evoke emotional responses from viewers.

Legacy and Recognition

Although still emerging internationally, Alexandros Garnavos has established a reputation within contemporary Greek artistic circles for his thoughtful exploration of memory, identity, and urban experience. His combination of analogue photography, theatrical aesthetics, and multidisciplinary artistic practice has made him a distinctive voice among modern Greek visual artists.

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