London Biennale

Yiannis Kalyvis (Devoidness)

ACHERON

ACHERON by Yiannis Kalyvis (Devoidness), Mixed media on paper (acrylic, graphite, ink, spray paint, gold leaf), 2022

Selected for the 2025 London Art Biennale, Greece. Mixed media on paper (acrylic, graphite, ink, spray paint, gold leaf), 2022. 70x100cm.

In Acheron, Kalyvis blends mythology, religion, and modern life to explore the theme of transition. A vulture, symbolizing the Egyptian goddess Nehbet, watches over a dreamlike scene where a coffin lies in the center and to the right. Below it, a euro coin references the ancient fee paid to Charon to cross the river Acheron. The use of gold leaf, often seen in Christian art, is intentionally oxidized, suggesting that faith today may feel more like tradition than living belief. Through these symbols, the work prompts us to reflect on the cost—spiritual, cultural, or personal—of moving between worlds.

Yiannis Kalyvis, known as Devoidness, is an avant-garde artist who explores themes of identity, transcendence, and belief systems. His work merges mythology with modern technology, reflecting how spirituality evolves with culture. Using bold abstraction and mixed media, Kalyvis challenges traditional boundaries and invites viewers to question the intersection of ancient beliefs and contemporary life. A graduate of the Athens School of Fine Arts, his art has been showcased internationally.