Δράκος

000324 Nikos Yialouris, Dragon, 1997, mixed media on paper, 51 × 66 cm

In 1981, Yialouris published the book Chian Fairy Tales, and in 1995, The Synaxarion of the Good Dragons, which contains twelve “anti-fairy tales.” In these texts, the terrifying figure of the folk dragon becomes the protagonist, sometimes playing a positive role and sometimes a negative one. Naturally, the dragon’s images moves from his literary to his artistic work. It is treated in the spirit of folk art and heavily influenced not only by Greek tradition but also by Sino-Japanese art. In the present drawing, we see a rather benevolent-looking dragon—likely to be associated with The Synaxarion—whose representation clearly references Chinese iconography. Its large head contrasts with its slender body, and it holds a scepter in one hand. The creature is painted with a bold black contour; its scaly body is green, and some details are painted red.