Nick Rhodes from the Duran Duran spent three weeks in Chania with all his family last September.They were thrilled with the place , the people and the food but there is one person they still talk about , the famous ceramist painter Manousos Chalkiadakis.
Paidohori is a small village in Hania – Crete, situated at the foot of “Lefka Ori” (White Mountains). In these beautiful surroundings stands the house and studio of Manousos Chalkiadakis. The house, that has been photographed and published several times by the Greek and International press, exists as a place of interest for the lovers of traditional architecture. The artist’s studio was built in keeping with the traditional style of the main house. This studio, where Manousos Chalkiadakis creates his unique ceramics, has over the last few years become, a learning workshop for people interested in ceramic art. Mr Chalkiadakis welcomes you to his house and studio, offering you the opportunity to experience Cretan culture and to explore your own artistic talent.
Spend the day:
Paidohori lies between Hania and Rethimnon and is approximately 30 minutes from each city. Arrive at 10:00 for coffee and breakfast, learn about the history of ceramic art, view Manousos’ work and watch him transform clay into beautiful vases, boats, fruits, spinning tops and balloons. Take a break and try some local delicacies and then continue creating your own ceramic work of art, with the artist’s expert guidance. Your creation will need a few days to dry and then to be fired. You can either collect your work or we can have it delivered to you.
Master the Ceramic Art:
Manousos Chalkiadakis gives private lessons, individually or in small groups, throughout the year.
MANOUSOS CHALKIADAKIS
CERAMICS – SEMINARS
Tel: +30 28250 71181 & +30 6945 935225
Manousos Chalkiadakis is a dear friend and a Capricorn . He was born in Hania Crete in 1948. His studies of Economics in Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki and later, his accounting pursuits, in Athens, inevitably conflicted with his artistic spirit and he decided to make a new beginning. Among the different forms of art he experimented with, (jewellery, photography, painting), pottery won him over and became his focal point.
In 1987 he decided to return to Hania. He settled in Paidohori, Apokoronas, a small village at the foot of “Lefka Ori” (White Mountains). He renovated an 18th century Venetian ruin, created his studio and one of the most amazing houses of the Cretan countryside.
In 1989 he won the second award of the Panhellenic Ceramics Exhibition in Amarousion Athens and in 1990 he won the first award. Having participated in many exhibitions and having been established as a prominent Greek artist, he founded the art gallery “Tzamia – Krystalla” in the commercial center of Hania, Crete. The gallery became a cultural centre for the city. In addition to exhibiting the works of Greek and International artists, it also hosted well known singers and musicians in concert for select audiences. The gallery has recently relocated to the island of Santorini.
Manousos mainly uses two techniques:
The “classical technique”, where the object is fired for the first time without glaze at 1000C and for the second time at 1200C, after having been enamelled. With this technique, by using oxides of different metals (iron, cobalt, copper), Manousos creates the colours that characterise his work.
www.greekceramics.gr
Email: info@greekceramics.gr
The photos are from an unforgettable Easter Sunday we spent at his place a few years ago!
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