Yiannoulis Halepas – The Greek Rodin of Tinos
Hearing the name of the most eminent sculptor of the later years in Greek culture brings us closer to the outstanding life of a distinguished personality of the arts. Destiny was to mark his progress with many tragic years. A retrospective of his life will give us the full picture of the course of events that would seal his artistic life.
Yiannoulis Halepas came from a Tinian family of marble sculptors. As a young boy, he worked close to his father. A special talent was then revealed to him, and he decided to study sculpture at the Holy Foundation of Evangelistria on the island of Tinos. Later he studied at the Academy of Arts of Munich.
After this time, he was to create his first masterpiece called “Satyr Playing with Eros” and following he won an award. Satyr symbolized the inner strength of man and the young Eros another type of strength that brought forth turbulence of the soul, which was not only God-sent but monstrous according to Plato. This was to emphasize what was to finally dominate.
Upon abruptly losing his scholarship which he had gained, he returned to Athens and opened his own workshop. During this period, he created his second masterpiece called “The Sleeping Woman” created in memory of a deceased young girl of Kimolos, which was placed at the First Cemetery of Athens.
He continued to create many great works of art, one of which was his third masterpiece called “Tenderness”. As he was progressing day by day and becoming prominent, a sudden nervous breakdown would bring forth psychological problems. He had shown his passion and agony to become well-known at a time when the market wasn’t strong, and competition was high. He tried to commit suicide and his condition put an abrupt end to his progress. Following this, he was put into therapy at a hospital for mental illnesses in Corfu and stayed inside for many years. He challenged himself to create again but everything he did was a failure. This situation made him stop all attempts. When he finally got well again, a new period of creativity started, and he felt a rebirth of his talent.
He continued to be interested in ancient Greek classical art, in mythology, and in the creation of classical images, nudes, and angels. This rebirth of his creativity brought forth the creation of many new masterpieces. It was indeed a miracle after so many years.
Even though he was named “the insane sculptor” he was later awarded the “Excellence of Arts”. He lived the later years of his life close to his niece until his death. One hundred fifty sculptures were saved, and many drawings were found most of which are displayed at the Halepas home collection. Many sculptures can be seen at the National Art Gallery, at the Yiannoulis Halepas Museum at Pyrgos of Tinos, and at the National Sculpture Center at Goudi in Athens.
