Odysseus
A project with the local store ‘Morfi Ithakis’ in Ithaki, Greece, I was tasked with creating a series of ten portraits of Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca and central figure in Homer's The Odyssey. The unique nature of this project involved not just illustrating the portraits but integrating them with the natural environment of Ithaki.
The owner of ‘Morfi Ithakis,’ located in Vathy, Ithaca, has been in business for over 20 years. Specializing in handcrafting jewelry and decorative trinkets, he primarily works with local metals, creating designs that capture and reflect the essence and heritage of the island.
I sourced local materials, specifically rocks native to the island, and used their natural surfaces as the canvas for the illustrations. This approach allowed the project to resonate deeply with the local culture and geography, merging the story of Odysseus with the material of his own homeland.
The illustrated rocks will be distributed to foreign visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to take home a tangible piece of Ithaki, both as a souvenir and as a connection to the island's rich heritage.