Kostis Stafylakis: On an island

This is the first in a series of artist monographs accompanying the exhibition program of K-Gold Temporary Gallery in Lesvos. The debut publication complements “On an island”, a subversive show by Kostis Stafylakis, featuring a conversation with the artist in Greek and English, and designed by Marlon Tate.

Stafylakis employs a post-Internet aesthetic, transforming digital imagery into new forms and meanings that transcend their original contexts. His practice explores the dissolution of boundaries between the digital and physical, reimagining reality through a lens where virtual characters blur with the real, injecting playful critique into contemporary art discourse.

At the heart of the project is “GZPRM GOPNIK”, a persona inspired by the Russian gopnik subculture, which has developed a surreal internet presence. With Adidas-clad figures dancing to early techno or posing with oversized fish, Stafylakis creates an immersive, bear-den-like atmosphere. His work satirizes Western perceptions of post-Soviet Russia, inviting viewers to engage with political tensions and conflicting narratives with wit and candor.