Remembering Yannis Koboyannis

We are very sorry to tell you that Yannis Koboyannis, the Skyrian ceramic artist who has been, for many years, a member of the Atsitsa staff, died after a short illness on Wednesday, the 19th of May. Cancer had been diagnosed just two months ago.

Yannis Koboyannis was born in Skyros in 1954 and was a self-taught artist. His work - traditional designs approached with an innovative spirit - had received wide recognition both in Greece and abroad, particularly in the United States where he sold many of his pieces. His workshop was established in Kyra-Panagia, five hundred metres from Atsitsa Bay, in 1992.

Despite the fact that he couldn’t speak any English, Atsitsa participants who joined it loved both his course and the man himself, and in many instances went away with treasured pieces of work they produced under his guidance. Yannis is shown on the right of this photo.

His workshop in Kyra-Panagia, Skyros island and close to Atsitsa, was also used as a cultural centre with exhibitions of old local photos, jewellery, embroidery or local wine. Take a look at this lovely video too, of Yannis' workshop and his works of art. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMMAWmmTanc

In 2006 his workshop became the centre of Athenian Fine Arts students who created a stunning exhibition of marble sculptures locally carved. Yannis leaves behind a daughter and a son aged 33 and 28 and also his mother, who has been managing his shop in the village for many years.

Liz Clayfield wrote too: Yannis Koboyannis has been a part of our lives in Atsitsa for many years, running ceramics courses, hosting parties and welcoming us into his home and garden whenever we visited. He has been a source of inspiration to so many and his work is found all over the world. His death is a sad loss to us here in Atsitsa and the island and I myself will be amongst the many who will miss him.