Kostis (Konstantinos) Grivakis’ choice of Oman was guided by the challenge of choosing an unfamiliar, unheard-of destination, but the brief visit, which turned into a love affair for this Greek, does have a touch and feel of happy happenstance.
It was July 2017 when he first came to Oman on a holiday – on a lark. “I had never heard anything about Oman before, and that was my challenge; the challenge to travel to a place completely unknown to me. I didn’t see any travel videos on YouTube, nor did I read up on the country. I wanted to come here and discover a different culture from the one I was raised in. And it was love at first sight. I have since devoted my art and my life to Oman and its amazing people,” states Grivakis, whose holiday tryst with Oman turned into an artistic venture into the culture and heritage of the land that continues to inspire him.
He believes inspiration is what guides and motivates an artist. While some artists spend days, months and years seeking their fount of inspiration, many languish without ever finding it, he maintains, pointing out that he got lucky the day he landed here. “Oman and its people give me the inspiration I need to express myself through my work. The originality of the people and their faith in their ethics and traditions are the main reasons I love the people. I have devoted my art to them,” he says.
Grivakis, who comes from a small island village in the south of Greece, has been painting for as long as he can remember. “My earliest memory of me painting is when I was four,” he states, adding that he studied arts and relied on different techniques and materials to create his works. At present, he is focused on creating collages – “Mixing famous artworks and modern personalities with Omani places and people,” as he mentions.
His love for Oman and his art has taken him to different parts of the country, most memorable of which are the workshops he conducted in Bahla for a girls’ school and at the Scientific College of Design, in addition to one in Jebel Shams. With plans on the agenda to continue expanding his art and his presence in the country, Grivakis is currently busy setting up his own little studio in Al Khoud, from where he plans to teach fine arts, recycled art and everything else he is adept at in the art quarters.
Grivakis says he is the happiest man in the world because he lives and breathes the Oman air. He is, especially, proud of the way his popularity has grown during the last couple of months. Reflecting over the changes that have connected him, indelibly, to Oman, he says, “To be honest, I never thought this was going to happen. I started to work here only because I was, and still am, inspired. Oman has already given me more than I expected… This beautiful country makes me want to be a better person. Every day is a different lesson to me; a lesson about morals and ethics, about kindness, about hospitality and friendship. I want the people of Oman to love me always as I love them. They gave me the gift of inspiration and, right now, I’m feeling as if I’m one of them – even if I’m coming from a place 3000 miles away.”
The home I grew up in… South Greece is the place my family still lives in; it’s the place that holds all of my childhood memories.
When I was a child I wanted to… Paint and create things. I also wanted to be a postman, as I believed, back then, that all letters were love letters and I wanted to be the one who delivered love to people.
The moment that changed me forever… The first time I came to Oman. My local friends took me to Jebel Shams the same day, and I felt I was on top of the world.
My greatest inspiration… Are the simple people I meet everywhere I go. The simpler they are the more I learn from them
My hero… Is a figure that hides inside me; it’s the force that gave me the power to change my direction to life and art. A hero doesn’t need to be a person.
If I could change one thing about myself… It would be nothing.
I dream of… Me as an old man who thinks as a small child. I hope that my eyes and hands will never betray me to do art until the last day of my life.
What I see when I look in the mirror… A man that I love and admire.
It’s not fashionable but I like… To be a gentleman.
My greatest regret is… Using my brain more than my heart
You may not know it, but I’m very good at… All aspects of housework.
You may not know it, but I’m no good at… Being bad!
If I have time to myself… I’d like to spend it with a friend, walking and talking on the beach for hours.
My house is… A source of inspiration and the place where the magic happens.
My favourite holiday destination is… Any place in Oman – from Sur to the Damaniyat Islands and from Jebel Akhdar to Sohar.
My favourite weekend spot in Oman… Musandam.
I will not leave my house without… A smile.
Things I ‘love’ about Oman… My Omani friends; the glorious landscapes; the simplicity of Omani people; and the fact that I feel so local – like I was born here.
On the top of my bucket list is… A trip to India.
My success mantra is… Inspiration will come but it has to find you working.
In 10 year’s time, I hope to be… In Oman, somewhere near a beach, thinking how lucky I was to love and be loved by this wonderful place!