Workshop

Fanis

Born in Thessaloniki in 1941 to Anastasios and Andromache Voutsina of Cephalonia, Fanis was taught the all-honorable art of icon painting by Pantelis Panopoulos. He collaborated with the artist and icon painter Stefanos Almaliotis as well as with the icon painting house of the Pachomaioi. His love of art often took him to Mt Athos and the monasteries of the former Yugoslavia, where he studied the schools and trends, as well as the evolution of art. Over time, he became a teacher to many young icon painters of Macedonia, inspiring many with his art, teaching “in soundless voice” the words of the Gospel, as well as relating the story of Christ and His saints. Courteous and affable, noble in his behaviour and with characteristic subtlety, mentored his young colleagues and encouraged them to work ceaselessly. His artistic language reached the ends of the earth as he painted his narratives all over the world. In Greece he painted icons in over 25 churches, in Germany 10, in America 4, in Cuba 1, in Israel 1 and in London in 3 churches. His works can be found in private collections and his portable icons are in numerous churches in Greece and abroad. Voutsinas was distinguished for the clarity of his colours, his faithful adherence to tradition and, above all, his passion for art, which he also inspired in his two daughters, Elena and Andromache, who are admirably continuing their father’s work today.