“My first connection to a spiritual center was Delos, Greece.” Delos was the spiritual and financial center of the ancient Western world. It is a site sacred to the goddess Isis and the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. On this journey he discovered his true voice as a sculptor. “What compels me as an artist is my desire to become more of my true self.”

Looking at his sculptures we can see that what he has discovered about himself is that he is a messenger revealing the timeless universality of all cultures through their shared sacred symbols. On his quest he discovered the common links between the sacred geometry, myths and astrological systems from Central America to Africa to Mongolia. For example, while exploring the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, he noticed similarities between the faces of these Asian statues with those of pre-Colombian America. In the sculpture by Filippos we are presented with a glimpse of humanity’s common heritage.

This unity in diversity theme appeals to many curators, corporations, and private collectors all over the world. Filippos presented a solo show at the Galleri Nasional Indonesia in Jakarta and was included in the Dubai International Art Expo and the Florence Biennale. A corporation in Jakarta commissioned two pieces that are used at the entrance of the offi ce building to positively calibrate energy.

Inspirations for his work arrive in a variety of vehicles for Filippos. While learning bronze-forging techniques with masters in Cuernavaca and San Miguel de Allende in Southern Mexico he also traveled with Huichol shamans who use peyote as a focal point in ceremonies. During one of these ceremonies Filippos was given a dream in which he saw a green window opening up in the heart. “The Womb” is the materialization of this vision.

Onyx also inspires Filippos. “I love onyx because of its ability to be transparent to light.” Filippos is unique as a sculptor due to the variety of materials that form his creations, yet onyx is included within every series. “I like the feeling of onyx”. When inspirations arrive he is at once the creator and the disciple: “A log is not a dead thing; it is very much alive, just temporarily disconnected from its’ roots. I give it new roots and new life. It is vital to show respect for the material. I merge my energy with the energy within the medium leaving room for Mother Nature to come help me, reassuring me that I’m doing the right thing!”

Where does a man whose art expresses the eternal in matter call home? Bali, Indonesia. Bali is similar to Greece as it is known as the ‘island of the Gods’. Filippos arrived on Bali in 1990 to learn wood carving techniques and immediately felt it was his home. “I feel the natural nourishment of mother on Bali. It is so lush and green. This allows me to discover more of who I am. The culture and people are very welcoming. The people are open. It is full of art-from the simple daily offerings to high art.” Life is art on Bali.

When an interviewer asked Filippos what advice he would give to a young sculptor his response serves all of us who desire to joyfully create our lives: “To create in peace within one’s self; to enjoy the journey to the fullest.”