Theodoros Papagiannis, a Greek sculptor and professor, is the subject of a tribute exhibition titled "In Praise of Sculpture" at the Sianti Gallery in Athens. The show features works by eighteen artists, all graduates of the 1st Sculpture Workshop of the Athens School of Fine Arts, honoring Papagiannis as their teacher. In an interview, Papagiannis discusses his philosophy of reusing materials, the importance of memory in art, and his belief that art must remain rooted in tradition while engaging with the present. He also reflects on Greece's sculptural heritage, the influence of ancient works like the Elgin Marbles, and his ongoing project of drawing from Greece's archaeological museums.
This article matters because it highlights a countercurrent in contemporary art: a return to craft, historical continuity, and public engagement as an antidote to market-driven, image-saturated art. Papagiannis's emphasis on art as a living, public experience and his critique of cultural fragmentation resonate amid debates about art's role in society. The exhibition also underscores the enduring influence of the Athens School of Fine Arts and the pedagogical legacy of a sculptor who sees people as his ultimate material.