This vibrant MCM Tile Frieze depicts two young women in a 'tall' mid-century modern presentation. This ceramic tapestry is comprised of 6-tiles merging in a very modern design style, straight out of the decade reflecting MCM design from c1960s, reflecting slender and lithe female figures.
It is the design of the well-known Greek ceramist Panos Valsamakis, the principal artist at Valsamakis' Studio. His design lines were screaming MCM works. Each tile has carved design lines, with beautiful vibrant glazes, some with frothy glaze bubbling as can be seen in the images.
This tile frieze, composed of six tiles, measures 24" high by 8" across, with a depth of about 1/2 inch. The full panel, which houses the frieze set measures 25" by 8.75" by 3/4" thick. It is a very high-quality panel housing, backed by a heavy composition board and framed in a very complimentary wood frame. Its original metal hanger is securely attached at the top.
It is in original studio condition, with very organic and fluid glazes, along with the usual glaze nuances, but no apologies. It bears Panos Valsamakis' impressed seal in the lower left corner, which reflects the interlacing of the Greek letters “pi” and “beta” and is as unique as the man and the art it symbolizes. It is found on every piece designed by the hands of one of the world’s greatest contemporary ceramists, Panos Valsamakis.
Included at the end of the images is a photo of Valsamakis in his Marousi atelier studio in 1973. Shipping will be determined by your zip code because of its large size and weight of just over 8 pounds. If questions, please ask.
Panos Valsamakis' Story
The ceramic creations of Panos Valsamakis (1900-1986) have left their mark on the history of Greek art, with many distinctions within and outside the country. There are dozens of important milestones in the life of this great ceramist, including his studies at the School of Fine Arts in Marseille, his artistic direction at the Kerameikos Factory and at the Lavrio Ceramics Company (1930-42). His work uniquely bridged traditional Greek folk iconography and Mediterranean motifs with the formal language of modernism. Operating primarily from his custom-designed residence-workshop, in collaboration with Michalis Orros in Marousi, Athens, he produced vibrant ceramic tiles, murals, and distinctive sculptural vessels. The Valsamakis Studios workshop continues to operate, and since 2015 it has been managed by Sofia and Panos Valsamakis, the creator's grandchildren. With respect for its artistic heritage, and taking advantage of the rich archive of Panos in the workshop, they create handmade decorative paintings, plates and tiles, in a style that combines folk tradition with expressionism and realism.
The Valsamakis logo reflects the interlacing of the Greek letters “pi” and “beta” and is as unique as the man and the art it symbolizes. It is found on every piece designed by the hands of one of the world’s greatest contemporary ceramists, Panos Valsamakis.
The ceramic tapestries of Valsamakis, although inspired mainly by Greek folklore, are so universally appealing that they have earned Valsamakis critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout the world. His themes have varied, over the years, from the traditional or historic to the contemporary, while his style has been influenced by modern realists as well as expressionists.
Awards
1930 Gold medal at the Exposition Nationale du Travail in Brussels
1937 Silver medal at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et des Techniques in Paris
1938 Medal and cash prize at the First PanHellenic Exhibition in Athens
1955 Bronze medal at the exhibition of the International Academy of Ceramics, in Cannes, where fifty countries participated. In this report he was elected a member of the Hellenic Judicial Committee
1965 Golden Cross of the Order of George I for his artistic work
1986 Academy of Athens lifetime achievement award
His enduring impact on contemporary craft is highlighted in retrospective exhibitions, such as those at the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens.
