Here at Kaftayan Galleries, it all began with a vision to bridge artistic divides. Since 1995, Kalfayan Galleries has championed contemporary art. It especially focuses on Greece the Balkans and the MENAM region.
The founders Arsen and Roupen Kalfayan started their first gallery in Thessaloniki in 1995. The Athens branch of Kalfayan Galleries opened in 2000. The gallery acts as a crucial bridge between Eastern and Western visual culture. It gives artists from diverse backgrounds a platform.
Kaftayan Galleries’ roster reflects this unique character. The gallery has also produced historically researched exhibitions. These exhibitions focus on post-war Greek art. It represents the estates of some of the most important artists of the period.
Many gallery artists have appeared in acclaimed international exhibitions. Documenta 14 Venice Biennale and Sharjah Biennale are among them. The gallery and its artists have worked with prominent museums and art institutions. NEON Onassis Foundation and the British Museum are a few examples.
But the Kalfayan brothers didn’t stop there. They expanded to feature a more international roster. Arsen Kalfayan noted a gap between the Middle East and the West. Greece he believed could bridge it.
This positioning proved successful. The gallery enjoys a leading position within the Greek art scene. Exhibitions have included Panos Tsagaris Nina Papaconstantinou and Vartan Avakian. The art collective Slavs and Tatars have also been featured.
Stepping into Kaftayan Galleries can transport you far from Athens. The gallery builds a global audience for its artists. Art fairs have become a key part of the gallery’s cycle. The team exhibits across Europe America Asia and the Middle East.
Arsen Kalfayan says they started taking part in Art Dubai. From there they moved to Hong Kong. They promote Greek art in places where it’s not easy to access.
Raising the profile of Greek artists internationally is a sound business strategy. It’s an important reason why Kaftayan Galleries has weathered the economic crisis. Many other local galleries closed.
Alongside its contemporary artists Kaftayan Galleries promotes Greek artists from the 1960s and 1970s. Yannis Tsarouchis is among them. His work is exhibited at fairs such as Art Basel and The Armory Show. The receptions are extremely positive.
Arsen explains that they appreciate that they can now see how important it was to work with these artists. It gives them additional energy to continue.
The Kalfayan team often starts their day at Da Capo. It is a cafe at the heart of Kolonaki. They hold early meetings over coffee. For dinner they recommend Papadakis. It is a classic Greek kitchen run by celebrity chef Argiro Barbarigou. Abreuvoir is another option. It is a Kolonaki institution famous for its meat.
As you leave Kaftayan Galleries consider the gallery’s role. It connects diverse cultures and promotes Greek art on a global stage. Its commitment to bridging divides makes it a vital part of Athens’ art scene.