On the idea of worlds.

My work is archaic. Still and silent. Full of mistakes, accidents, faults. Full of possibilities. Wide in travelling, deep in dive and breath. Pieces will  often speak a story. or hum a song or resonate a string.
Made of this earth by this earth, yet destined to travel in time and space. Broken yet strong. Handled with care, a faded memory belongs to everything and everyone.

“p r o t ó l e o”, is the three dimensional artistic work of the creator and designer Demetrios Tzavaras. Expressed in unique unrepeated handmade objects of found wood, wild clay, repurposed and recycled materials, basic geometries and archetypical shapes, form in these primal materials.

Fallen wood, is gathered mainly from the Peloponnese region of Greece, the outskirts of Athens and/or many times it is found as drift wood in beaches. Wild clay is gathered from various parts of Greece from the mainlands, mountainous regions or near the sea or other fresh water sources. Paper and other construction materials exist in abundance in urban enviroments as waste. Wood forms take its basic form  with a chainsaw and axes and then hand worked by simple scarpels and knives. Clay is worked without a wheel by hand, often mixed with various naturals organic elements or different soils and minerals then fired in fireplace or pit fire or outsourced kilns. Paper and structural or construction materials is found as waste and reinvented in various combinations and purposes-objects. As each piece of  wood, each batch of clay, and newly formed materials are unique, so each piece is unique and unrepeated. Mind-eye-hand (and vice versa) coordination perform on the material of each piece in a meditative experiential state. Mistakes are unavoidable. Though initially not welcomed, eventually they reveal patience, acceptance, beauty, uniqueness, impermanence.

A study in nature,  natural and other materials and reusability. A study on forms and shapes. A study to what it means to be human and to create, struggle, enjoy and pass through time and space.


37°26'05.4"N 22°31'57.2"E
“Inspiration Site”

Disclaimer 

- Although all wood items are food safe finished with multiple layers of organic beeswax and extra virgin olive oil, they are sold as unique handmade artefacts.

- Visible imperfections, work marks, rough surfaces and textures, are present due to their unique character and handmade procedures and tools.

- Clay and pottery items have not been glazed unless specifically stated in their description.

Although most artistic items can be functional and usable, they are not compatible with industrial standards and regulations.

- All items are handmade and carry the signature of their creator Demetrios Tzavaras “ ΔΤ ”.